Haffner Energy, a leader in advanced biofuels, and Spanish Power-to-Energy company IGNIS P2X have joined forces to launch AeroVerde, a collaborative initiative focused on producing sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and e-SAF. The partners announced that the project’s first priority is identifying an optimal site for the facility in Spain.
“AeroVerde builds on Haffner Energy’s innovative methods for turning residual biomass into valuable fuel products,” said Gustav Granberg, Director of P2X Business Development & Strategy at IGNIS. “We are actively exploring opportunities to expand in the bio and e-SAF market, and Haffner was the ideal partner. Our immediate focus is to select the most strategic location for the initial project in Spain.”
Haffner Energy’s proprietary technology transforms residual biomass—without competing with food or land use—into hydrogen-rich syngas, which can then be converted into bioSAF through pathways such as Alcohol-to-Jet and Fisher-Tropsch. Additionally, excess biogenic CO₂ generated during syngas production can be combined with renewable hydrogen produced by IGNIS P2X to create e-SAF, a synthetic sustainable aviation fuel of non-biological origin.
The European SAF sector is under mounting pressure to scale up rapidly. Under the ReFuelEU Aviation mandate, airlines will be required to use a 6% SAF blend across the EU by 2030. Yet, according to an October report by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), SAF accounted for only 0.6% of aviation fuel consumption in 2024, with around 55% produced domestically. Most of the EU’s SAF currently comes from used cooking oil and waste animal fats (HEFA), nearly 70% of which is imported from Asia. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that such imports can offset the carbon reduction benefits of SAF mandates.
AeroVerde plans to strategically locate its first facility to ensure efficient access to local residual biomass while minimizing transportation distances to offtakers.
“Our business model is rooted in the circular economy, and partnering with IGNIS P2X allows us to combine our technological expertise with their strong presence in Spain,” said Marcella Franchi, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of SAF at Haffner Energy. “Together, we are well-positioned to bring sustainable aviation fuels to the Iberian Peninsula.”
As Spain’s largest independent energy manager, IGNIS oversees more than 9 GW of power assets for domestic and international clients. The group operates over 30 GW of renewable projects globally, spanning Europe, the U.S., Latin America, and Asia. In 2024, IGNIS launched its P2X platform to develop green hydrogen, ammonia, and other clean energy solutions in Spain and internationally, further strengthening its capabilities in low-carbon technologies.
