Right before the Hyvolution show, the two partners announced their agreement. Genvia, a company that develops high-temperature electrolysers, will be producing low-carbon hydrogen which will serve as a key ingredient in developing sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

According to the agreement, several production methods will be assessed. Namely, the SOEC hydrogen production method that Genvia has been developing as an alternative to PEM technologies, as well as synthetic gas (syngas) method combined with various sources of CO2. The study will be carried out during the first half of the year 2024, with financial support from the Occitanie region.

These ingredients will be used to make the e-kerosene that Airbus intends to use. The Group’s aircraft and helicopters can use this type of fuel in a blend of up to 50% with an aim of reaching 100% in 2030. It is important to note that SAF helps reduce CO2 emissions by 80% in comparison to fossil fuels.

According to the IATA, an amount of no less than 100 million tonnes of hydrogen is required by 2050 in order to help produce SAF. Depending on the outcome of the study, the Occitanie Region, together with Genvia and Airbus, will explore the possibility of setting up a SAF production plant in the region.

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Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Mariem Ben Tili