Abu Dhabi-based energy firm Masdar and European aviation firm Airbus have collaborated to support the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and also to promote SAF market.
With this agreement, the firms will work together on areas like SAF, Green Hydrogen, and Direct Air Capture technologies, as well as support the development and implementation of ‘book and claim’ solutions.
The agreement was signed by Mohammad Abdelqader El Ramahi, Chief Green Hydrogen Officer, Masdar, and Mikail Houari, President, Airbus Africa, and Middle East. The other dignitaries present were Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Chairman of Masdar and COP28 President-Designate, Guillaume Faury, Chief Executive Officer, Airbus, and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer, Masdar.
Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said, “This MoU with Airbus further amplifies Masdar’s commitment to accelerating the reduction of global carbon emissions and pioneering worldwide efforts towards decarbonization. We look forward to working closely with Airbus to support the development of the global sustainable aviation fuel market and to exploring the adoption of creative low-carbon solutions in support of net zero.”
President of Airbus Africa and Middle East said, “Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is one of the best solutions for reducing the aviation sector’s carbon footprint and this agreement will support in advancing its much-needed development and growth. At Airbus, we continue to lead the industry towards a more sustainable future. We are committed to contributing to driving innovation to support the ambition set by IATA, ATAG, and ICAO to reach “net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
“We have a legacy of successful collaborations in the UAE that has contributed to advancing the country’s aerospace sector capabilities. This new agreement with Masdar marks yet another milestone in the partnership between Airbus and the UAE,” he added.
Masdar, which was established in 2006 is the UAE’s clean energy firm. It is active in over 40 countries across the globe and is reported to have invested in a portfolio of renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of around 20 gigawatts (GW).
As per reports, Direct Air Capture technologies enable the capturing of atmospheric CO2 which could, in combination with Hydrogen be used to produce synthetic SAF. It is estimated that there is up to 95 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions with the usage of SAF based on Green Hydrogen and Direct Air Capture. The global sustainable aviation fuel market expected to grow to over US$14bn by 2032, according to a market research firm.
Earlier this year, during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Masdar had also announced about its initiative targeting green hydrogen to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The firm is also actively working with licensors to certify a new production pathway for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from methanol.-
