Jet Fuel Sustainability: Eurowings Joins Forces with a Startup for Green Aviation Fuel Production - Eurowings joins forces with a start-up to develop eco-friendly kerosene fuel
Düsseldorf International Airport is set to be the home of a groundbreaking project, as Eurowings and Greenlyte announce a strategic partnership for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The Düsseldorf SAF Reallabor plant, scheduled to start construction in 2027 and commence production in 2028, is expected to produce around 150 tonnes of SAF per year.
The plant, located on the airport grounds, is primarily a proof of concept, paving the way for larger-capacity plants in the future. The estimated investment costs for the project exceed ten million euros, and state funding is also being sought, as announced by Greenlyte CEO Florian Hildebrand.
The Düsseldorf SAF Reallabor plant will utilize a solar plant at the airport to supply part of the electricity needed for its operation. Greenlyte plans an "air-to-tank" production, capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and producing green hydrogen, which will then be converted into synthetic fuel.
Eurowings has agreed to purchase the entire output of the "Reallabor" plant for the first three years. This commitment is a significant step towards kick-starting market adoption for SAF, with Eurowings CEO Jens Bischof calling for political measures to promote investments in SAF production facilities.
The fuel produced by Greenlyte's method is up to ten times more expensive than kerosene derived from oil. However, the environmental benefits of SAF make it a crucial step towards reducing the aviation industry's carbon footprint.
The approval processes for the Düsseldorf SAF Reallabor plant are set to begin next year. Private investors are still being sought for the project, with Greenlyte CEO Florian Hildebrand confirming that they are actively seeking additional funding.
Cologne is not mentioned as a location for any SAF production or related activities in the provided text. The private investor providing financing for the planned SAF production pilot project at Düsseldorf Airport is not explicitly named, but the project involves the operator Greenlyte and the airline Eurowings as strategic partners.
The Düsseldorf Airport's SAF Reallabor plant demonstrates the technical feasibility of electricity-based SAF, a significant milestone in the aviation industry's transition towards sustainable fuel sources. With this partnership, Eurowings and Greenlyte are leading the way in reducing the aviation industry's carbon emissions and paving the way for a greener future.
