The Aviation Minister has announced that 17 cutting-edge UK companies will share £63 million to accelerate the production of sustainable aviation fuel.
A boost for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will help support around 1,400 jobs and secure Britain’s position as the global leader in the green aviation market – both critical factors for sustainable growth in aviation.
Today’s investment means the government has provided £198m to date through the Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF) to scale up cleaner aviation technologies.
Creating a clean aviation ecosystem will help power the next generation of airport infrastructure and capacity expansion, kickstarting economic growth and delivering the UK’s ambitions to become a clean energy superpower.
How SAF is set to benefit the UK economy
The production of sustainable aviation fuel could add up to £5 billion to the economy by 2050, positioning the UK as a global hub for low-carbon fuel production and enabling the UK to go further and faster with its expansion plans.
“We’re not just backing brilliant British innovation, we’re creating thousands of high-skilled jobs and positioning the UK at the forefront of the global sustainable aviation market,” explained Aviation Minister Mike Kane.
“From the labs of Sheffield to the runways of the future – this is how we kickstart economic growth, secure energy independence and make Britain a clean energy superpower.”
Delivering cleaner flights and achieving net zero
SAF is an alternative to fossil jet fuel, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions on average by 70% on a lifecycle basis, from feedstock to biofuel, making it a key technology that will enable UK aviation to grow capacity while achieving its net zero commitments.
The SAF Bill will help secure the future of the aviation sector by boosting green fuel production in the UK and delivering cleaner flights.
This bill will give investors the confidence to back sustainable aviation fuel production. It will help grow the sector, providing green jobs and enabling the delivery of carbon savings.
Key players leading the development of sustainable aviation fuel
Announcing the new funding at the University of Sheffield’s Energy Innovation Centre – which just received £1.5m in this latest round – the Aviation Minister saw first-hand the groundbreaking work on aircraft engine testbeds and revolutionary aviation fuels.
Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian, Managing Director of the University of Sheffield’s Energy Innovation Centre, who is leading the project, said: “It’s fantastic to see the University of Sheffield playing a leading role in the development of sustainable aviation fuel and supporting the aviation industry in its efforts to reduce its emissions.
“At Sheffield, we have some of the most advanced SAF research facilities in Europe and are excited to work with partners from the industry to help them test and develop new fuels and next-generation clean energy technologies.”
The AFF winners include a range of companies, spread across the country, such as OXCCU Tech, which is developing a demonstration plant at Oxford Airport, and LanzaJet, which is building a commercial-scale plant in Teesside.
Andrew Symes, CEO and Co-Founder of OXCCU, commented: “This funding enables the detailed design and construction of OX2, our demonstration plant launching in 2026, and builds on the successful delivery of OX1.
“It brings us closer to producing lower-cost, lower-carbon aviation fuel and supports the UK’s ambition to become a global leader in SAF production.”
Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet, added: “This support demonstrates confidence in LanzaJet’s technology and the critical role ethanol-to-SAF can play in delivering economic growth, creating jobs and decarbonising air travel.
“Project Speedbird is vital to building a national SAF industry in the UK and to unlocking opportunity and innovation in the region.”
