Neste to supply its renewable jet fuel to airlines at Geneva Airport later next year
(photo: Neste)
Thu 21 Sept 2017 – Renewable fuel producer Neste is to collaborate with Geneva Airport to supply its MY Renewable Jet Fuel product for aircraft operations as of late 2018. The target is for at least 1% of the annual jet fuel consumption at the airport to be composed of the renewable fuel, with the annual volume expected to reach “thousands of tonnes”, says Finland-headquartered Neste. The fuel will be produced at Neste’s European refineries using 100% waste and residue based renewable raw materials. Along with logistics stakeholders, both partners are looking at the most viable form of transporting the fuel to the airport. Neste supplied its fuel to Lufthansa for the first-ever series of regular flights between Frankfurt and Hamburg in 2011 and is involved in other Scandinavian and Dutch sustainable jet fuel initiatives.
Claiming to be the world’s leading renewable diesel producer from waste and residues, Neste has been developing its MY Renewable Jet Fuel product for several years, building proof of concept through to ensuring quality and performance to meet commercial aviation fuel requirements. The fuel was tested on 1,187 scheduled Lufthansa flights and Neste says results showed an overall saving of 1,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions and fuel consumption was 1% lower overall compared to fossil jet fuel. Neste adds its winter-grade fuel has been successfully tested by Boeing on a 787 Dreamliner.
Now, says the company, its renewable jet fuel is ready for commercialisation.
“We are very excited to collaborate with Geneva Airport and their airline partners to show the way to the aviation sector,” commented Neste’s Kaisa Hietala, EVP Renewable Products. “This is an important step for Neste in implementing our growth strategy for renewables in applications outside road traffic fuels.”
Geneva Airport CEO André Schneider said that with aviation growing, airports had a crucial role in taking the initiative to reduce the sector’s environmental impact. “The airport is particularly pleased to work on this very ambitious project together with Neste, the Swiss authorities, airlines operating from Geneva and locally established fuel companies.”
Geneva joins other airports, including Seattle-Tacoma and Avinor-owned airports in Norway, in launching recent initiatives to supply sustainable jet fuel to airlines while seeking a solution to the price premium challenge.
Meanwhile, Stuttgart Airport has started using Neste’s MY Renewable Diesel under the brand name C.A.R.E. Diesel in its diesel-powered ground fleet, such as the trucks of the airport fire department and winter service equipment.
“Our goal of running the entire airport climate-neutrally by 2050 is a very ambitious task,” said Walter Schoefer, the airport’s Managing Director. “The use of C.A.R.E. Diesel complements our climate protection efforts and its use benefits our apron staff as well.
