British Airways and EcoCeres Forge Sustainable Aviation Fuel Partnership
A transformative partnership reducing aviation emissions and advancing sustainable fuel adoption in the airline industry.
British Airways and EcoCeres: Launching a Pioneering Sustainable Aviation Fuel Agreement
British Airways has entered a milestone multi-year agreement with Hong Kong-based EcoCeres, securing a steady supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) produced from waste-based biomass feedstock. This landmark partnership marks a significant step toward decarbonizing airline operations and aligns with the carrier’s ambitious climate targets.
Key Highlights of the Partnership
- Emission Reduction: British Airways targets to cut lifecycle carbon emissions by approximately 400,000 metric tonnes—equivalent to flying about 240,000 economy passengers on return journeys between London and New York.
- Sustainable Feedstock: EcoCeres supplies SAF produced entirely from 100% waste-based biomass, primarily used cooking oil (UCO).
- Strategic Commitment: British Airways and parent company IAG commit to using 10% SAF for flights by 2030, with a longer-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Lifecycle Carbon Reduction: SAF from EcoCeres achieves up to 80% reduction in lifecycle carbon emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.
Understanding Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Sustainable Aviation Fuels are defined under regulations such as Refuel EU Aviation as aviation fuels that are synthetic, bio-based, or derived from recycled carbon sources. While SAF emits similar levels of carbon dioxide upon combustion as fossil-based fuels, the critical difference is that its carbon is already part of the natural cycle, meaning its net contribution to atmospheric CO2 is far lower over the entire lifecycle.
- Sources: SAF can be derived from biomass (like UCO, agricultural residues), synthetic processes using captured carbon, and by recycling carbon from existing waste streams.
- Current Scale: Despite the promise, global SAF usage remains low—just 2.7% of British Airways’ total fuel consumption in 2024.
Why SAF Matters for Aviation?
- Reduces dependence on fossil fuels and taps into the carbon already circulating in the biosphere.
- Lowers greenhouse gas emissions, advancing climate targets for airlines and entire transport sectors.
- Encourages innovation in waste valorization and biofuel technology, with benefits extending beyond aviation.
British Airways: Sustainability Roadmap and Climate Milestones
British Airways has embedded sustainability initiatives across its business operations under the BA Better World strategy:
- 10% SAF in flights by 2030: Matching the UK’s SAF mandate and IAG’s (International Airlines Group) commitment.
- Net-zero by 2050: The long-term vision aligns with global climate leadership and aviation sector goals.
- Carbon intensity reduction: Achieved a 13% reduction since 2019, with SAF playing a key part.
- SAF procurement: In 2023, IAG airlines utilized about 12% of the world’s SAF supply, and have secured one-third of the SAF needed to reach the 2030 target.
EcoCeres: Innovator in Renewable Fuels
EcoCeres, headquartered in Hong Kong, is rapidly advancing its production of renewable fuels. Its biomass-based SAF leverages circular economy principles, turning waste like used cooking oil into high-grade aviation biofuel, lowering aviation’s carbon footprint.
- Product Range: SAF, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), renewable naphtha
- Feedstock: 100% waste-based biomass: used cooking oil, agricultural residues, and other non-food sources.
- Lifecycle Emission Savings: Up to 80% reduction compared to fossil jet fuel.
- Manufacturing Innovation: Focus on scalable, waste-to-fuel technology and expanding partnerships globally.
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Executive Perspectives
| Leader | Statement |
|---|---|
| Matti Lievonen, EcoCeres CEO | “We are proud to partner with British Airways in this strategic agreement to jointly tackle greenhouse gas emissions in aviation… Together, we are contributing to the broader effort of reducing emissions in transportation.” |
| Carrie Harris, Director of Sustainability, British Airways | “SAF is an important part of our BA Better World strategy. In 2024 alone, SAF accounted for 2.7% of British Airways’ total fuel use… It’s another important step forward on our journey to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.” |
Carbon Impact: A Quantitative Overview
British Airways’ SAF agreement’s 400,000 tonnes carbon reduction is significant for aviation and climate action. To contextualize:
- Flight Equivalency: This is comparable to emissions savings from approximately 240,000 economy class roundtrip passengers traveling London-New York.
- Lifecycle Savings: By using waste-derived SAF, emissions reductions cover the entire fuel cycle—from sourcing, production, transport, and end-use combustion.
Comparing Conventional Jet Fuel vs. SAF
| Attribute | Conventional Jet Fuel | Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Source | Extracted fossil hydrocarbons | Biomass waste; recycled carbon |
| Lifecycle CO2 Emissions | Highest (from extraction, refinement, combustion) | Up to 80% lower over lifecycle |
| Scalability | Established, high-volume | Expanding, currently <2.7% globally at BA |
Challenges and Opportunities in Scaling SAF
While the benefits are clear, the aviation sector faces notable challenges in rapid SAF adoption:
- Global Production Shortfall: Supply of SAF remains much lower than demand, requiring significant investment in waste sourcing, refinery capacity, and logistics.
- Cost Gap: SAF can be notably more expensive than fossil jet fuel, though ongoing technology advancements and scale are poised to narrow the gap.
- Policy Support: Strong mandates (such as the UK SAF requirement) and incentives help drive industry transformation.
- Feedstock Sustainability: Waste-based sources must be carefully managed to avoid competing with food production or causing indirect environmental harm.
Global Context and Future Trends
British Airways and EcoCeres’ partnership is a microcosm of wider global efforts to transition to low-carbon aviation:
- International mandates like the UK SAF requirements are becoming widespread.
- Airline industry coalitions are emerging to share best practices and accelerate innovation.
- Investment in R&D: Next-generation SAF technologies (synthetic fuels, advanced recycling) are attracting substantial capital and public support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
A: SAF is a low-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel produced from waste or renewable biomass, offering up to 80% lifecycle emission reduction.
Q: What is the British Airways-EcoCeres partnership aiming to achieve?
A: The multi-year agreement targets a reduction of nearly 400,000 metric tonnes of carbon emissions by substituting conventional jet fuel with waste-based SAF.
Q: How much of British Airways’ fuel will come from SAF?
A: The company aims for 10% of its flights to use SAF by 2030, in line with UK policy and IAG’s goals.
Q: What is the lifecycle benefit of SAF?
A: SAF delivers up to an 80% reduction in lifecycle CO2 emissions compared to fossil-derived jet fuel, factoring in the end-to-end supply chain.
Q: Why isn’t SAF used everywhere today?
A: Current global SAF production rates are low, and cost is higher than conventional fuel. Scaling requires investments, innovation, and supportive policy frameworks.
Conclusion: Paving the Path for Sustainable Aviation
The partnership between British Airways and EcoCeres serves as a blueprint for the aviation industry’s transition toward sustainability. By championing the use of waste-based SAF, both companies contribute to substantial carbon reductions and demonstrate how collaborative action and strategic investment can drive the sector closer to net-zero emissions.
- Milestone agreement signals growing momentum for sustainable aviation globally.
- Industry leadership propels innovation in waste-to-fuel technology and carbon management practices.
- Public-private collaboration will remain key to meeting ambitious climate goals and scaling clean aviation solutions worldwide.
As SAF technology advances and becomes more widespread, partnerships like these will continue to shape the future of flight, helping transform one of the most challenging sectors in the climate transition journey.
References
- https://biofuels-news.com/news/ecoceres-and-british-airways-ink-saf-agreement/
- https://www.esgtoday.com/british-airways-signs-sustainable-aviation-fuel-deal-to-reduce-emissions-by-400000-tonnes/
- https://ecoceres.com/en/news/view?id=57
- https://www.safinvestor.com/news/147941/ecoceres-british-airways/
- https://www.britishairways.com/content/information/about-ba/ba-better-world/planet
- https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/british-airways-signs-up-new-sustainable-aviation-fuel-supplier/
- https://www.iairgroup.com/press-releases/2025/iag-and-microsoft-strengthen-partnership-with-largest-and-longest-scope-3-sustainable-aviation-fuel-saf-agreement-to-date/
- https://www.mobilityplaza.org/news/41884
- https://www.lanzajet.com/speedbird
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