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Business News Wales
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
New Measures Aim to Accelerate Green Aviation Fuel Production
New measures to help the UK take off as a world leader in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) have been introduced in Parliament. The UK Government has also announced an additional £400,000 of funding for producers so that new clean fuels can get to market quicker. SAF is an alternative to fossil jet fuel and reduces greenhouse gas emissions on average by 70% on a lifecycle basis. While the fuel is more costly to produce than jet fuel, the UK Government's SAF measures protect industry and consumers from excessive costs, it said. In addition, the revenue certainty mechanism (RCM) will keep ticket price changes minimal – keeping fluctuations to £1.50 a year on average – and will be industry funded through a levy on aviation fuel suppliers. The Department for Transport (DfT) said it would continue to engage with industry on the details of the RCM, including pricing. A new round of government funding is also being announced to offer fuel producers a share of £400,000 to support the testing and qualification of green fuels, helping to get them to market quicker. This support for producers follows £63 million of funding made available through the Advanced Fuels Fund this year. Aviation Minister, Mike Kane, said: 'I want to see a golden age for green aviation and today sees take off for sustainable flights. 'Aviation continues to be one of the fastest growing and most integral parts of the UK's economy, offering more jobs across engineering, tourism and hospitality – and as we support aviation expansion, we need to move at full throttle towards decarbonisation.' The new legislation will help industry meet its requirements under the SAF Mandate, introduced in January this year, which specifies that at least 10% of all jet fuel used in flights taking off from the UK from 2030, be made with sustainable fuel, rising to 22% by 2040. The UK Government said its approach on low carbon fuels could add up to £5 billion to the economy by 2050 and position the UK as a global hub for SAF production. Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said: 'This is a welcome announcement given the importance of the RCM to commercialising and scaling-up SAF production in the UK, a technology key to decarbonising aviation by 2050. A UK SAF industry, kick-started by the RCM and SAF Mandate, can create tens of thousands of jobs across the country whilst supporting our world-class aviation sector to deliver economic growth. 'We look forward to working with government on scheme design and how contracts are allocated, so that we balance the need to deliver the SAF required to support mandate compliance, whilst keeping costs as low as possible through a competitive and transparent bidding process that places the consumer at its heart.' Duncan McCourt, Chief Executive of Sustainable Aviation, said: 'We hugely welcome the publication of this important legislation. SAF is a crucial element in the plan to decarbonise aviation as it can be used in existing aircraft with existing infrastructure. 'The challenge now is to scale the industry, ensuring we have enough SAF to meet the mandate whilst keeping costs low and create thousands of jobs in the process. This legislation will help to do that.'
Associated Press
31-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Willis Sustainable Fuels Progresses Teesside SAF Project
COCONUT CREEK, Fla., March 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) ('WLFC' or the 'Company'), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and global provider of aviation services, today announced that its subsidiary, Willis Sustainable Fuels (UK) Limited ('WSF'), has entered into license and engineering agreements with two global leaders in sustainable technology, Johnson Matthey and Axens. These partnerships significantly advance WSF's sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project in Teesside, Northeastern England. WSF is targeting Q1 2028 to begin commercial operations at its SAF production facility, with an anticipated annual production capacity of 14,000 tonnes (equalling approximately 50,000 litres a day) of SAF. 'Through this collaboration, WSF will leverage Johnson Matthey's and Axens' market-leading technologies to support the production of SAF at our facility in Teesside, UK,' said Amy Ruddock, Senior Vice President, Sustainable Aviation & Corporate Development of WLFC. 'Working with industry leaders will allow us to accelerate progress toward our vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future.' This project received a grant from the UK Department for Transport's Advanced Fuels Fund and represents an important step towards the UK government's 2050 net-zero target and its goal of having five commercial-scale SAF plants under construction by 2025. WSF is currently executing the detailed design phase of the project. McDermott will perform early engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) related services for the project. 'Our FT CANS™ technology was developed in partnership with bp and revolutionizes the sustainable fuel sector by enabling production at commercial scale. We look forward to working with Willis Sustainable Fuels on this innovative project that will benefit the UK and beyond,' said Alberto Giovanzana, Managing Director - Licensing at Johnson Matthey 'Axens is honored to be chosen as a partner in this pivotal energy transition project to support the emergence of the advanced SAF market in the UK. We are dedicated to accompanying Willis every step of the way, ensuring the successful implementation of innovative solutions that drive sustainable progress,' said Jacques Rault, Executive Vice President Technology & Technical Support of Axens. The project's technology is intended to produce 100% SAF that can be seamlessly blended with conventional jet fuel for immediate use with existing commercial aircraft engines. The fuel produced is projected to offer greenhouse gas emissions savings of approximately 80% compared to today's fuels. WSF remains committed to the aviation industry's transformation to a more sustainable future by investing in, developing and producing scalable solutions to decarbonize aviation. For more information on WSF, visit Willis Lease Finance Corporation ('WLFC') leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair, and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools and asset management services through Willis Asset Management Limited, as well as various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Through Willis Engine Repair Center®, Jet Centre by Willis, and Willis Aviation Services Limited, the Company's service offerings include Part 145 engine maintenance, aircraft line and base maintenance, aircraft disassembly, parking and storage, airport FBO and ground and cargo handling services. Willis Sustainable Fuels intends to develop, build and operate projects to help decarbonize aviation. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements, which give only expectations about the future and are not guarantees. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based, except as required by law. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: the effects on the airline industry and the global economy of events such as war, terrorist activity and the COVID-19 pandemic; changes in oil prices, rising inflation and other disruptions to world markets; trends in the airline industry and our ability to capitalize on those trends, including growth rates of markets and other economic factors; risks associated with owning and leasing jet engines and aircraft; our ability to successfully negotiate equipment purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to control costs and expenses; changes in interest rates and availability of capital, both to us and our customers; our ability to continue to meet changing customer demands; regulatory changes affecting airline operations, aircraft maintenance, accounting standards and taxes; the market value of engines and other assets in our portfolio; and risks detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other continuing and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is advisable, however, to consult any further disclosures the Company makes on related subjects in such filings. These statements constitute the Company's cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. About Johnson Matthey Johnson Matthey is a global leader in sustainable technologies. For over 200 years Johnson Matthey has used advanced metals chemistry to tackle the world's biggest challenges. Many of the world's leading energy, chemicals and automotive companies depend on Johnson Matthey's technology and expertise to decarbonise, reduce harmful emissions, and improve their sustainability. And now, as the world faces the challenges of climate change, energy supply and resource scarcity, Johnson Matthey is actively providing solutions for its customers. Through inspiring science and continued innovation, we're catalysing the net zero transition for millions of people every day. For more information visit About Axens The Axens Group ( offers a complete range of solutions for the conversion of oil and biomass into cleaner fuels, the production and purification of major petrochemical intermediates, the chemical recycling of plastics, natural gas treatment and conversion options, water treatment and carbon capture. Their offer includes technologies, equipment, furnaces, modular units, catalysts, adsorbents and related services. Axens is ideally positioned to cover the entire value chain, from feasibility studies to start-up and monitoring of units throughout their lifecycle. This unique position guarantees optimum performance and a reduced environmental footprint. Axens' international offering is based on highly qualified human resources, modern production facilities and an extensive global network for industrial, technical support and sales services. Axens is an IFP Energies Nouvelles Group company. To find out more, visit Axens' website and follow Axens on X and LinkedIn.
