Finnair has teamed up with Liquid Sun, ABB, Fortum, and Finavia to launch a pioneering pilot project in Finland aimed at developing electro-Sustainable Aviation Fuel (eSAF). This initiative leverages low-temperature electrolysis technology to convert biogenic CO₂ emissions and renewable hydrogen into low-carbon synthetic jet fuel. (Image: Finnair)
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FinnairFinnair has teamed up with Liquid Sun, ABB, Fortum, and Finavia to launch a pioneering pilot project in Finland aimed at developing electro-Sustainable Aviation Fuel (eSAF). This initiative leverages low-temperature electrolysis technology to convert biogenic CO₂ emissions and renewable hydrogen into low-carbon synthetic jet fuel.
Building Finland’s eSAF Ecosystem
The pilot will be based in Espoo, with the production unit scheduled to be fully operational in autumn 2025. This marks Finland’s first pre-commercial eSAF production site, designed to establish a sustainable fuel value chain and production ecosystem that could scale globally.
Finland offers ideal conditions for such innovation, given its abundance of biogenic CO₂ sources, including forestry industry by-products and biogas plant emissions. These resources provide a steady and decentralized feedstock for synthetic fuel production.
Strategic Collaboration for Climate Innovation
According to Liquid Sun’s leadership, the project aims to unite industrial partners across the eSAF value chain with a shared ambition to accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation fuels. Finavia, Finland’s airport operator, emphasized the importance of strong climate collaboration, stating that the company is committed to supporting innovations that enable greener air travel.
Context: EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation Mandate
The project aligns closely with new EU rules under the ReFuelEU Aviation initiative, which mandate increasing the share of sustainable fuels in aviation over the coming decades. From 2025, airlines must ensure at least 2% of their fuel comes from SAF, increasing to 6% by 2030 and reaching 70% by 2050. Synthetic fuels like eSAF also have specific sub-targets, starting at 1.2% by 2030 and rising to about 35% by 2050.
These requirements apply to airports handling at least 800,000 passengers or 100,000 tons of cargo annually—criteria met by Helsinki-Vantaa and Rovaniemi airports in Finland. The mandates are part of the EU’s broader “Fit for 55” climate strategy, designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the aviation sector’s environmental footprint significantly by mid-century.
Market Challenges and Momentum
Despite regulatory momentum, concerns remain about feasibility and cost. Industry groups, including IATA, have urged the EU to consider adjustments to 2030 SAF targets, citing limited supply and infrastructure challenges. Airlines argue that while sustainable fuels are critical for decarbonization, their availability remains low, and costs are substantially higher than traditional jet fuel. Current SAF represents less than 0.1% of global aviation fuel and is roughly three times more expensive than fossil-based kerosene. Synthetic fuels like eSAF are even costlier at present.
However, investments in production scaling, supportive policies, and technology development are expected to reduce these costs over time. The Espoo pilot aims to demonstrate that localized, renewable-driven fuel production can be viable and scalable.
Why This Matters
| Aspect | Key Insight |
|---|---|
| Technological Leadership | Positions Finland at the forefront of global eSAF development. |
| Policy Alignment | Directly supports EU climate and aviation sustainability targets. |
| Collaborative Model | Brings together diverse stakeholders to create a robust eSAF value chain. |
| Strategic Timing | Launches ahead of critical EU compliance milestones in 2025 and 2030. |
| Market Stimulus | Could help ease supply shortages and drive down costs through scaling. |
The Finnair–Liquid Sun pilot exemplifies the type of innovation and cooperation needed to transform aviation. As eSAF production ramps up and regulatory frameworks tighten, Finland is poised to become a leader in sustainable aviation fuel technology.
Source: Finnair
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