TotalEnergies is working to decarbonise air transport by producing and supplying its customers with sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). By 2028, the Company will be able to produce more than half a million tonnes of sustainable aviation fuels per year to meet the European incorporation mandate set at 6% by 2030. TotalEnergies will be able to supply SAF to more than 10% of the jet fuel volumes it markets in Europe, ahead of this mandate.
“TotalEnergies is committed to meeting the strong demand from the aviation sector to reduce its carbon footprint. SAFs are essential for immediately reducing CO2 emissions from air transport, and their development is fully in line with our carbon neutrality approach, working with society,” said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies. “For 10 years, we have been pioneers and have invested in biorefineries and in the development of coprocessing in our refineries.”
TotalEnergies, Pioneer in SAF Production
At the Grandpuits biorefinery: Thanks to an investment of €500 million, TotalEnergies is transforming its site into a zero-oil platform including a biorefinery with a production capacity of 230,000 tonnes/year of SAF, which will come into production in 2026. TotalEnergies is partnering with SARIA, the European leader in the collection and recovery of organic materials, which will supply the majority of the raw materials.
At the La Mède biorefinery: The site will produce 15,000 tonnes/year of SAF this year to supply airports in the southern region.
At the Normandy refinery: TotalEnergies has started the production of SAF by coprocessing, a production process that allows fossil aviation fuels and biomass to be processed simultaneously in a conventional refining unit. The site’s production capacity is 160,000 tonnes/year.
At the Antwerp refinery in Belgium: An initial project of 50,000 tonnes/year of SAF through coprocessing is being implemented this year. Production capacity will subsequently be increased to 80,000 tonnes/year.
At the Leuna refinery in Germany: A coprocessing production project of 50,000 tonnes/year is planned for 2026.
TotalEnergies, Supplier of SAF for Its Aviation Sector Customers
TotalEnergies supplies aviation fuels, including SAF, in line with the incorporation mandates and needs of its various customers. These customers include several airlines, including:
Air France-KLM, with which TotalEnergies has concluded a major SAF supply contract for the delivery of up to 1.5 million tonnes over 10 years. This is one of the largest SAF purchase contracts signed by the Group.
Volotea has also committed to sourcing SAF from TotalEnergies to reduce the carbon footprint of its flights departing from several French airports until 2029.
TotalEnergies Partner Engaged in Research on SAF
TotalEnergies is also forming partnerships with aerospace manufacturers to accelerate the sector’s decarbonisation. These partnerships play a key role in understanding the impact of sustainable aviation fuel composition on aircraft, particularly for incorporation rates above 50%. These include:
A partnership with Airbus, signed in 2024, covers the supply of SAF for more than half of its needs in Europe and a joint R&D programme to develop 100% sustainable fuels.
A partnership with Safran, initiated in 2021, which enabled the formulation of an SAF fully compatible with the aircraft fleets currently in service and enabled, in February 2023, the flight of an army helicopter with this SAF.
TotalEnergies is also strengthening its R&D efforts, particularly on raw materials, which are one of the challenges for increasing SAF production. The Solaize research centre in Lyon is mobilising specialised teams to coordinate work on these topics.
