Boeing Partners with Norsk e-Fuel to Advance SAF Production and Reduce Aviation Emissions

January 22, 2025

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(Boeing) - Strategic partnership will foster supply of sustainable aviation fuel in the Nordics to help meet global demand; - Boeing investment will support development of one of Europe’s first industrial-scale Power-to-Liquids facility -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has become a key project development partner of Norsk e-Fuel, supporting one of Europe’s first industrial scale Power-to-Liquids (PtL) facilities. Boeing’s investment will accelerate the production and availability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the Nordics and globally. It is also intended to support the commercial aviation industry’s and ICAO member states’ common goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Norsk e-Fuel will produce jet fuel known as electro-SAF, or e-SAF. This involves the PtL process: using fossil-free power to generate green hydrogen and combining it with recycled CO₂ from biogenic sources. This fuel can reduce the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of air travel by over 90% compared to conventional jet fuel.

Boeing and Norsk e-Fuel sign a strategic partnership agreement to accelerate the production and availability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the Nordics and globally. From left to right: Karl Hauptmeier, CEO, Norsk e-Fuel; Maria Laine, President of Boeing in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Nordics; Lars Bjørn Larsen, CCO, Norsk e-Fuel. (Boeing photo)

“Our support of and collaboration with Norsk e-Fuel underscores the importance of using fossil-free energy to accelerate SAF production, which is key to reducing aviation’s carbon emissions towards 2050,” said Steve Gillard, Boeing’s regional sustainability director for Europe, Middle East, Türkiye, Africa and Central Asia. “Our partnership to advance e-fuels will help mobilize the commercialization of SAF in the Nordics and across the world, increasing accessibility and availability for our customers as we help build a robust SAF ecosystem.”

It is estimated that SAF accounted for only 0.53% of the global commercial fuel use in 2024. In Europe, the RefuelEU SAF initiative’s proposed mandate aims to gradually increase the share of SAF, reaching a target of 6% by 2030, and 70% by 2050. There are also sub-mandates for e-SAF, such as that produced by Norsk e-Fuel, with targets of 1.2% in 2030 increasing to 35% in 2050.

Boeing’s investment will contribute to achieving the SAF volumes needed by the EU commitments and strengthen national energy security across the Nordics. The partnership will also inform policies that enable the economic viability of the global SAF industry, while supporting long-term competitiveness of the aviation industry in the region.

“Our goal is to make e-fuels competitive with and eventually replace fossil fuels in critical infrastructures as SAF needs to become readily accessible and affordable for advancing aviation’s decarbonization,” said Lars Bjørn Larsen, CCO of Norsk e-Fuel. “Boeing’s investment will further accelerate our project pipeline and will facilitate the broader aviation industry’s transition to net-zero emissions.”

The strategic partnership combines Boeing’s SAF industry leadership and fuels expertise with Norsk e-Fuel’s technology know-how and strong network of partners, including Norway’s largest air carrier, Norwegian.

“We are pleased to welcome Boeing on board. Their investment marks a significant milestone for Norsk e-Fuel and confirms the positive development we have had. We look forward to leveraging Boeing’s expertise and experience in the development and growth of this pioneering industry. This investment also reinforces the need for a supportive policy environment to fully realise the potential of e-fuels production in Norway, in line with the Norwegian parliament’s call,” said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.

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As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers.

Norsk e-Fuel was founded in 2019 to drive the transition to renewable aviation by establishing the industrial production of sustainable fuels based on CO2 and water. As project developer, the company is establishing large-scale production sites to deliver synthetic fuels to the aviation industry. Supported by strategic investors and carefully selected partners, Norsk e-Fuel is set to bring Power-to-Liquid production to industrial scale and determined to develop a new value chain for sustainable fuels. For more information, visit www.norsk-e-fuel.com READ MORE

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Fueling the Future: Norsk e-Fuel partners with Prime Capital and RES to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Sweden (Prime Capital)
New Spark and Norsk e-SAF projects focus on low-cost renewable energy (GreenAir News)

Excerpt from Prime Capital: Norsk e-Fuel, Prime Capital and RES have announced a collaboration to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in North Sweden. Located in the municipality of Ånge, “Project Alby” is planned to produce a minimum of 80,0000 tons of e-Fuel annually and marks Norsk e-Fuel’s expansion into Sweden. Under the lead of Norsk e-Fuel and Prime Capital, the companies will now mature the predeveloped site together.

Norsk e-Fuel, a leading Norwegian project development company specializing in e-Fuels, has announced earlier a collaboration with Prime Capital to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Sweden. Supported by the renewable energy company RES, the companies will develop “Project Alby,” an industrial-scale e-Fuel plant that will play a vital role in reducing the emissions of the European aviation sector. Located approximately 370 km north of Stockholm in the municipality of Ånge, Sweden, the project will benefit from low electricity prices due to extensive renewable energy available in the area. It is also Norsk e-Fuel’s first project site in Sweden, furthering the company’s expansion across the Nordics, following previously announced projects in Norway and Finland.

“We are excited to join forces with Norsk e-Fuel on this transformative project to produce SAF in Sweden. This collaboration brings together Norsk e-Fuel’s cutting-edge advancements in synthetic SAF development as well as RES exceptional capacities in delivering projects with Prime Capital’s extensive experience in renewable energy infrastructure and power-to-x project development. This partnership is a key step in reducing aviation emissions and accelerating Sweden’s transition to a more sustainable future”, says Jens Walzner, Managing Director of Prime Capital.

The project will utilize the Power-to-Liquid process to convert water into hydrogen, which will then be combined with captured CO₂ to create e-Kerosene, a sustainable alternative to fossil-based aviation fuels. Building on Prime Capital’s recent acquisition of the Ånge project site, pre-developed by RES, the companies will combine their expertise to realize the project. Following the further development and construction, start of operation of the plant is expected to be in line with the European regulation on sustainable aviation fuel (ReFuelEU Aviation). The combination of Norsk e-Fuel’s many years of experience in advancing the e-Fuel industry, Prime Capital’s strategic investment capabilities, the support by RES’ renewable energy expertise as well as the project development know-how of all three companies, the collaboration is well positioned for success.

“This project is a milestone for Norsk e-Fuel as we expand into Sweden and continue to lead the charge in providing fossil free fuels for the aviation industry,” says Karl Hauptmeier, CEO of Norsk e-Fuel. “As part of our project portfolio, Project Alby not only exemplifies our commitment to reduce the CO₂ emissions but also our belief that teamwork is crucial for success. Working together with experienced partners such as Prime Capital and RES is an honor and makes me optimistic that we will succeed in our mission.”

The 14-hectare site in Ånge offers ample capacity for large-scale e-Fuel production and strategic synergies with established industrial partners. The municipality is set to become one of Europe’s leading green hydrogen-driven industrial clusters, enhancing the project’s impact on renewable energy transition.

“Norsk e-Fuel joining the Alby project is fantastic news. Their expertise in e-SAF production, combined with Prime Capital’s strategic capabilities and RES’ 40+ years of renewable energy experience, provides a strong foundation for the next development phase. At RES, our vision is to create a future where everyone has access to affordable, zero-carbon energy. This partnership strengthens our ability to drive the green transition forward, and we are excited to do so alongside the best in the industry. The Alby project’s potential to deliver up to 80,000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel annually is not only a major step for the green energy market but also a significant milestone for Ånge municipality.”, adds Matilda Afzelius, CEO of RES in the Nordics.

The funds invested by Prime Capital benefit from support from the European Union under the InvestEU Fund.

Norsk e-Fuel in brief

Norsk e-Fuel was founded in 2019 to drive the transition to renewable aviation by establishing the industrial production of sustainable fuels based on CO₂ and water. As project developer, the company is establishing large-scale production sites to deliver synthetic fuels to the aviation industry. Supported by strategic investors and carefully selected partners, Norsk e-Fuel is set to bring Power-to-Liquid production to industrial scale and determined to develop a new value chain for sustainable fuels.

Luisa Wagner, Head of Communication & Corp. Development; +49 151 54210269; lwagner@norsk-e-fuel.com

For more information, visit www.norsk-e-fuel.com

Prime Capital in brief

Founded in 2006, Prime Capital AG is an independent asset management firm and financial services provider, owned by management and employees. The company takes a holistic, cross-divisional approach and specializes in Alternative Investments, in particular in Absolute Return, Infrastructure with a focus on Energy Infrastructure, and Private Debt. Furthermore, the company provides Access Solutions for the access to Alternative Investments through securitizations and fund structures. Prime Capital was founded in 2006 and currently employs about 120 people in Frankfurt and Luxembourg and is regulated by BaFin and CSSF. As of September 2024, Prime Capital has approximately EUR 4.3bn Assets under Management as well as EUR 8.6bn Assets under Administration.

For additional information, quotes, or requests please contact: Prime Capital AG; Andreas Kalusche, CEO

Questions regarding the content please contact: Dr. Mathias Bimberg; (+49) 0 69 9686 984 308; Mathias.Bimberg@primecapital-ag.com

For more information, visit www.primecapital-ag.com/

RES in brief

RES is the world’s largest independent renewable energy company, working across 24 countries and active in wind, solar, energy storage, green hydrogen, transmission, and distribution. An industry innovator for over 40 years, RES has delivered more than 27GW of renewable energy projects across the globe and plans to bring more than 26 GW of new capacity online in the next five years.

As a service provider, RES has the skills and experience in asset management, operations and maintenance (O&M), and spare parts – supporting 41GW of renewable assets across 1,300 sites. RES brings to the market a range of purposeful, practical technology-based products and digital solutions designed to maximise investment and deployment of renewable energy.

RES is the power behind a clean energy future where everyone has access to affordable zero carbon energy bringing together global experience, passion, and the innovation of its 4,500 people to transform the way energy is generated, stored and supplied.

Marcus Dunér; Communication & Marketing Manager; +46 723 762829; Marcus.Duner@res-group.com

For more information, visit www.res-group.com READ MORE

Excerpt from GreenAir News: Two emerging European energy companies have announced plans to produce synthetic aviation fuel, or e-SAF, at new manufacturing plants using low-cost renewable power. E-fuels are produced by combining water and renewable electricity to create green hydrogen, which is then blended with captured CO2 to create low carbon fuel. However, the high cost of renewable energy in many locations makes this fuel extremely expensive. In Germany, Spark e-Fuels has just announced a €2.3 million ($2.4m) pre-seed funding round, led by climate-focused investor Nucleus Capital, to progress a pilot e-SAF production plant, using proprietary technology which varies the rate of SAF production based on the availability of cheap renewable power. Following its recent partnership with Boeing, Norwegian company Norsk e-Fuel has joined with strategic German investor Prime Capital and renewable energy company RES to progress Project Alby, a new e-SAF plant in Sweden.

Synthetic fuels are attracting increasing attention, not just because of the scarcity of commonly used feedstocks such as fats, oils and greases for new fuels, compared to the abundance of CO2, but also a sub-mandate within the European Union’s ReFuelEU initiative, which requires e-fuels to comprise at least 1.2% of supplies at EU airports from 2030 and 35% from 2050.

Berlin-based Spark e-Fuels has patented ‘demand-responsive technology’ that enables it to vary the rate at which synthetic fuels are produced based on the availability of inexpensive green power. The company says its flexible process also simplifies SAF manufacturing by decoupling elements of conventional production, with both features appealing to lead investor Nucleus Capital, together with Zero Carbon Capital, Chemovator, Voyagers.io, 1.5° Ventures and IBB Ventures, the climate technology division of Investment Bank Berlin.

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“For conventional technologies, the first step unfortunately only offers a conversion of 50-60% of CO2 to syngas, which means that 40-50% remains CO2,” he said.

“This gas stream cannot be used in the FT process and has to be recycled. Due to these large recycle streams the two processes are strongly coupled, which significantly decreases energy efficiency and flexibility.

“In contrast, our syngas process reaches almost full conversion of CO2 and hydrogen to syngas and thus does not require any recycle streams and allows for decoupling the processes very well. This increases the flexibility, increases the energy efficiency and streamlines the process significantly.”

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In Sweden, Project Alby has been announced by Norway’s Norsk e-Fuel, strategic investor Prime Capital and renewable energy supplier RES to produce at least 80,000 tonnes of synthetic fuel per year at a new plant in the municipality of Ånge, 370 kilometres north of Stockholm.

The partners said the location was chosen because extensive volumes of renewable energy are generated in the region, delivering low electricity prices for e-fuel production. READ MORE