Haffner Energy and IGNIS P2X Partner to Produce Aviation Biofuels in Spain
French biofuel specialist Haffner Energy and Spanish developer IGNIS P2X have announced the launch of the AeroVerde project, aimed at producing sustainable aviation fuels in Spain. The initial phase of the project involves identifying the optimal site for implementation within Spanish territory.
Technology and Partnership
According to the press release, the AeroVerde project is based on Haffner Energy's proprietary technology that converts residual biomass into hydrogen-rich syngas, enabling the production of sustainable aviation biofuel through various transformation pathways. The company notes that the biogenic CO2 surplus from this production can be combined with non-biological renewable hydrogen produced by IGNIS P2X to generate e-SAF. Gustav Granberg, Director of Business Development and Strategy at IGNIS P2X, stated that this partnership aligns with the group's aim to expand its presence in the biofuel market. The project is currently in its initial phase of location identification in Spain, the release added.
Regulatory Challenges in the European Market
According to provided information, the European market for sustainable aviation fuels faces significant regulatory challenges. The ReFuelEU Aviation program mandates airlines to use a kerosene blend containing 6% SAF by 2030 for flights departing from European Union airports. However, a report by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency published in October indicated that SAFs accounted for only 0.6% of all aviation fuels supplied in the European Union in 2024, with about 55% being produced locally. The release noted that nearly all the SAF used in the European Union were biofuels made from used cooking oils and animal fats, 69% of which were imported from Asia. The International Air Transport Association reportedly criticized the carbon footprint of SAF imports, which contradicts the goal of the European mandate.
Optimal Site Selection for AeroVerde
The AeroVerde project site will be positioned to optimize local supply of biomass residues and its proximity to consumption points of the produced SAFs, according to the press release. Marcella Franchi, Director of Business Development and SAF Manager at Haffner Energy, mentioned that the circular economy approach is a cornerstone of the company's business model. IGNIS is presented as the largest independent energy manager in Spain, with over 9 GW of energy assets for national and international third parties. The group has a total portfolio of over 30 GW of renewable projects in operation and development across Europe, the United States, Latin America, and Asia. In 2024, IGNIS launched its P2X platform, IGNIS P2X, to develop projects related to green hydrogen, ammonia, and other clean technologies in Spain and internationally, the release indicated.
