Boeing and Norsk e-Fuel broaden collaboration on eSAF supply and production

A year after Boeing joined Norsk e-Fuel in a strategic partnership, the companies are starting a joint programme to test how e-fuels perform in real-world operations. They say it will also go beyond fuel performance to explore how e-fuels can contribute to a more resilient, secure and independent energy system in Norway, the broader Nordics region and across Europe. Through what they term as significant and targeted investment, the partnership will generate practical data on performance, operational benefits and supply requirements. In addition, the initiative will include a focus on defence, where secure energy supply is critical. By aligning production, supply structures and standards, the collaboration aims to strengthen the business case for e-fuels and support the development of new production facilities.

“This initiative goes beyond technology development,” said Lars Bjørn Larsen, CCO at Norsk e-Fuel. “Together with Boeing, we are contributing to a broader European objective: strengthening energy security, resilience and independence. Expanding sustainable aviation fuel production in the Nordic region can help reduce Europe’s reliance on imported fossil fuels while building a robust and sustainable e-fuel value chain for the future of aviation based on local feedstock and distributed production.”

The focus on defence is related to the Norwegian Defence Industrial Cooperation Framework. The partners say that insights from defence applications, ranging from fuel performance to logistics and infrastructure, will also help accelerate adoption of e-fuels in commercial aviation. Alongside testing, the initiative aims to further develop the synthetic fuel value chain to serve both commercial and defence needs.

“Scaling SAF, and particularly eSAF, is important for the sustainable and resilient growth of both commercial and defence aerospace. This is only possible by reducing the cost of SAF through stable policy and incentives that de-risk investments for early developers,” said Steve Gillard, Regional Sustainability Director at Boeing.

“Through our continued collaboration with Norsk e-Fuel, Boeing strengthens its commitment to exploring the potential of e-fuels and ensuring a secure energy supply for the whole of society, including defence, while also firmly supporting our airline customers and their decarbonisation ambitions.”

Commenting on the Boeing and Norsk e-Fuel initiative, Gro Jære, Director General of the Norwegian Defence Material Agency, said: “This is an important measure supporting the defence sector’s sustainability goals. Increased production of SAF in Norway and the Nordic region strengthens security of supply. To achieve significant emissions reductions across the sector without impacting operational capability, improved access to and use of SAF is the most effective single measure.”

Photo: Boeing/Norsk e-Fuel

Christopher Surgenor
Editor