American aerospace manufacturer extraordinaire Boeing announced on Wednesday it had doubled its purchase agreement of sustainable aviation fuel from world-leading provider Neste. It will now acquire 5.6 million gallons (21.2 million liters) of blended SAF to support flights for production, the Boeing ecoDemonstrator, Dreamlifter, and deliveries.The SAF will be blended with conventional fossil-based jet fuel to a ratio of 30/70. Meanwhile, Neste says that its renewable-waste-derived Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions over the lifecycle compared to Jet A by up to 80%.The fuel will be supplied by EPIC Fuels and Signature Aviation (2.3 million gallons) and Avfuel (300,000 gallons) to the Boeing ecoDemonstrator flight test program and the company's commercial sites in Washington state and South Carolina. Altogether, the new purchase agreement more than doubles Boeing's SAF procurement from last year.Sheila Remes, Boeing Vice President of Environmental Sustainability, commented on the renewed contract and confidence in the fuel produced by Neste,

"We are demonstrating our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint and catalyze the SAF industry. This SAF procurement makes up 25% of Boeing's total jet fuel needs for last year, including our production, delivery, Boeing ecoDemonstrator, and Dreamlifter flights, and we aim to increase that portion in the years to come."

Boeing SAF refueling truck
Photo: Boeing

Book-and-claim outside fuel supply

Furthermore, the company has purchased an additional 3 million gallons to be delivered by EPIC Fuels and Signature Aviation for generating emissions reduction credits for commercial deliveries, Dreamlifter, and executive flights. These (the emission credits) will be leveraged through a book-and-claim system, meaning that the SAF will be used instead of fossil-based jet fuel in fueling systems outside of Boeing's supply.

The quest for 100% SAF compatibility by 2030

In accordance with today's regulations, most modern aircraft and engines are certified to fly commercially on a 50/50 SAF blend. Meanwhile, substantial testing of 100% SAF operations are underway, and Boeing has committed to delivering all its commercial aircraft capable of flying on 100% sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.

Just last week, Boeing announced a significant milestone on the 100% SAF path when its SAF Aircraft Compatibility Integrated Product Team developed fluids mimicking the behavior of synthetic fuels, so-called SAF jet reference fluid (JRF). The team said it would allow Boeing to move into "a new phase of collaboration" with engine manufacturers, suppliers and SAF producers.

Engine, propulsion and fuels technical fellow J.P. Belieres commented on the significance of the achievement,

“Our systems and materials on our airplanes were designed for conventional jet fuel. Now that we’re moving to cleaner and more efficient fuels, which do not have the aromatics and heteroatomic compounds of petroleum-based Jet A fuel, we need to make sure our systems are compatible.”

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  • 787-8 Dreamliner
    Boeing
    Stock Code:
    BA
    Date Founded:
    1916-07-15
    CEO:
    Dave Calhoun
    Headquarters Location:
    Chicago, USA
    Key Product Lines:
    Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787
    Business Type:
    Planemaker