Japanese airlines land deals for sustainable jet fuel from U.S. maker
Japan's two leading air carriers, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, have agreed to source sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from U.S. producer Raven in deals involving Tokyo-based trading house Itochu. The airlines will buy SAF that Raven aims to produce commercially as early as 2025, using it on international flights. SAF is blended with conventional jet fuel, reducing CO2 emissions by 80% to 90% over its entire life cycle. The aviation industry aims to achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. But SAF still represents only 0.03% of the aviation fuel consumed worldwide. Both Japanese airlines have signed memorandums of understanding, with details such as supply volumes and prices to be set later. Itochu, an investor in Raven, will procure and supply the fuel to the companies. Itochu took a stake in Raven in 2021. The Wyoming-based company produces fuel from methane gas generated by the fermentation of plant waste and municipal solid waste. It aims to produce the fuel in California in 2025 and expects to manufacture 200,000 tonnes a year in Europe and the U.S. by 2034. The deals are the airlines latest move to secure SAF supplies. ANA and JAL also have procured sustainable aviation fuel through Itochu from Finnish company Neste, which produces it from waste cooking oil and other materials.