Boeing partners with Australia’s Wagner to develop SAF facility

Boeing ecoDemonstrator Explorer 787 aircraft in flight

Boeing said that it will collaborate with Wagner Sustainable Fuels to help increase availability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Australia.

The two firms will collaborate on developing SAF facility in Australia in line with the recommendations proposed by a joint study carried out by aerospace manufacturer and CSIRO. 

“In collaboration with Boeing, the Wellcamp blending facility will demonstrate the greenhouse gas emissions reduction benefits of SAF for our customers, provide a focus for federal and state policy makers and introduce the supply chain to this potential AUD$3bn + per year industry,” said Matt Doyle, CEO, Wagner Sustainable Fuels.

“We’re proud to contribute to the building blocks of a sovereign SAF production industry with this Australian-first facility and anticipate by the end of 2024, this facility will mark the start of the supply of SAF in Australia on a consistent basis,” he added further.

The collaboration aims to help meet Australia’s airline demand for jet fuel which is expected to increase by 75% over the next 25 years.

“Wagner’s sustainability goals align with Boeing’s work to advance aviation decarbonization and energy security through renewable energy including SAF, advanced technologies, operational efficiency, and fleet renewal,” said Kim Camrass, Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific sustainability lead, Boeing.

Wagner Sustainable Fuels has begun design and construction of Australia’s SAF facility.

Wagner Sustainable Fuels is leading the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels through the implementation of SAF blending facilities and renewable diesel supply chains in the near term and SAF/RD production facilities from waste products in line with global demand and Australia’s need to reduce GHG emissions across hard to abate sectors.

Earlier this week, Boeing announced that it is purchasing 9.4m gallons of blended SAF to support its 2024 US commercial operations in an effort to reduce its carbon emissions.

The company said it will receive 4m gallons of the blended SAF into its fuel farms in the Pacific Northwest. EPIC Fuels will supply 2.5m gallons whereas Avfuel will provide another 1.5m gallons of blended SAF from Neste.

Meanwhile, the company said the remainder volume of 5.4m gallons SAF will be purchased through the book-and-claim system.