Kuehne+Nagel, SWISS deepen SAF partnership

Leading logistics provider Kuehne+Nagel and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) announced strategic partnership to collaborate on sustainability projects, with a particular focus on innovative technologies to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

The partnership centres on a shared commitment to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced by Synhelion, a Swiss cleantech pioneer that converts sunlight into renewable synthetic fuels like solar jet fuel.

“To meet the aviation industry’s climate targets, we must scale the production of synthetic SAF. At Kuehne+Nagel, we are taking the lead by partnering with SWISS and Synhelion to accelerate these technologies, making them economically viable,” explains Yngve Ruud, member of the management board responsible for Air Logistics. “With it, we can offer our customers the opportunity to reduce their environmental footprint with this innovative technology.”

“SAFs are a key building block for making air travel more sustainable. They remain scarce and costly – which is exactly why we need strong partners,” says SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger. “We are pleased to be working with Kuehne+Nagel to implement the first commercial offtake of Synhelion’s fuel. This marks an important step forward and sends a clear signal that we intend to actively shape this path.”

To support scaling this technology, Kuehne+Nagel, SWISS, and its air freight division Swiss WorldCargo, have agreed on a long-term offtake agreement of SAF that provides Synhelion with planning security and drives innovation in the sector.

Starting in 2027, Kuehne+Nagel will purchase Synhelion SAF from SWISS under a five-year agreement for its cargo shipments by Swiss WorldCargo.