The SAF Podcast

• The SAF Podcast: Universal Fuel Technologies - Pick and mix for SAF production

  This week Oscar speaks with Alexei Beltyukov, Universal Fuel Technologies, a former medical doctor turned energy entrepreneur, who is now working on scaling the availability of sustainable aviation fuel.  Unifuel’s innovative Flexiforming process allows existing petroleum infrastructure—hydrotreaters and reformers—to be repurposed for SAF production, slashing capital expenditures by up to 75%. This drop-in solution not only reduces costs but also enhances feedstock and product flexibility, ensuring long-term economic viability for refineries transitioning to renewables.  Particularly interesting is their approach to working with traditional HEFA and Fischer-Tropsch processes, offering solutions to convert their by-products into valuable aromatic components for SAF. Uncover the intricacies behind the ASTM certification process for renewable jet fuel and why it's a critical step toward achieving a fully fungible, drop-in SAF. This episode sheds light on how simplifying production processes and understanding blending limits are not just technical hurdles but pivotal opportunities for investors and airlines, potentially reshaping the industry's future.The discussion concludes with insights into regional differences in SAF adoption, and observations on the balance between gradual transition pathways against more aggressive transition strategies. Exploring how these differing strategies prove more effective than immediate wholesale changes in refinery operations, or slow long term development.If you enjoy this discussion, check out our recent episode with Gorka Penalva, Exolum about the requirement to increase the focus on ensuring the supply chain is ready for increased SAF production: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/16525321

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• The SAF Podcast: Exolum - Throwing SAF a pipeline

  In the second episode of The SAF Podcast, we delve into the critical yet often overlooked logistics and supply chain challenges facing the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry with Gorka Penalva from Exolum, a leading pipeline and storage infrastructure company. With nearly 90 years of experience in hydrocarbon logistics and over 6,000 kilometers of pipeline across Spain and the UK, Exolum brings unique expertise to the SAF transportation discussion.Gorka highlights the urgent need for investment in import logistics and blending infrastructure, particularly as SAF production projects aren't expected to come online until the 2030s and beyond. He emphasizes the importance of creating efficient import systems to meet mandates in the interim, while making airports more competitive through optimized logistics costs.The conversation explores the environmental benefits of pipeline transport versus road freight, with Gorka revealing that moving product through their pipeline network from Avonmouth to Immingham saves as much CO2 as a flight to New York. We also discuss the technical challenges of SAF blending, including its impact on pipeline infrastructure and engine components, and how Exolum's experience in sophisticated fuel blending positions them to handle these challenges.The episode concludes with insights into regional differences in SAF adoption, the implications of book and claim systems on physical infrastructure development, and the broader challenges of scaling SAF logistics to meet both growing aviation demand and increasing SAF mandates globally.If you enjoyed this catch our previous discussion with CR Sincock, Avfuel discussing business aviation supply logistics and expanding capacity across the US: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/16057604

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• The SAF Podcast: Refuels - Aviation staying on the road to decarbonisation

  After a potentially too long break to end 2024. The SAF Podcast is back in 2025, a year set to have significant importance for the burgeoning SAF industry.For our first episode Oscar sits down with Philip Fjeld from Refuels. As the UK and EU SAF mandates take effect in 2025, Fjeld shares valuable perspectives from his decade of experience in the biomethane industry and his role at the Renewable Transport Fuel Association (RTFA).  The discussion delves into crucial market dynamics, examining how feedstock competition between SAF and biodiesel production could impact both sectors. Fjeld provides expert analysis on the challenges facing the industry in 2025, including the recovery from recent market disruptions caused by allegedly fraudulent feedstocks from Asia. He offers compelling insights into the differences between biomethane and waste oil feedstock availability. The episode also explores critical policy mechanisms, comparing the established Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) with the new SAF mandate. Fjeld discusses potential challenges with the HEFA cap implementation from 2027 onwards and draws important lessons from the development fuel mandate experience in road transport. This episode is essential listening for SAF industry professionals seeking to understand the broader implications of transport decarbonization policies and their impact on feedstock markets. A considerable amount of thinking in decarbonisation is siloed and this episode finishes highlighting the importance of  inter-sector collaboration to decarbonize transport. We discuss the intricate balance required between road transport policies and SAF mandates, highlighting the potential competition for vital feedstocks. Fjeld shares his vision for a diversified approach, advocating for aggressive blending mandates in the UK and a holistic view of alternative fuels' roles in maritime transport. You can check out this full discussion on all the usual platforms and on our website: https://www.safinvestor.com/the-saf-podcast/

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• The SAF Podcast: World Energy - Filling aviation's notice boards with (SAF) certificates

  In our latest episode we chat with Kathy Wight, Vice President for Net Zero Solutions at World Energy, and how they are leading the charge in decarbonizing business travel and freight. Kathy takes us from her roots in the NGO sphere to her pivotal role in driving practical sustainability solutions, sharing insights from her experience with the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the innovative strides in sustainable fuels like SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) and renewable diesel. We find out why she transitioned to the business side to actively work on developing practical solutions to decarbonise aviation.We venture into the complex landscape of Sustainable Aviation Fuel certificates, dissecting the intricacies of environmental attribute certificates, and the book and claim system. Kathy helps clarify these often-confusing terms, shedding light on how these mechanisms play a vital role in reducing emissions across industry value chains. We discuss the importance of transparency and the potential for a universal taxonomy to simplify the process for newcomers, ensuring accurate carbon intensity scores and fostering broader engagement in the SAF arena.Additionally, Kathy explains how long-term contracts with corporations act as “market makers” for SAF, signalling durable demand and unlocking capital to scale up production facilities. For industry newcomers and veterans alike, Kathy’s insights offer a deep understanding of how SAF certificates and partnerships are accelerating sustainable change in aviation.  She emphasizes the importance of taking action now, rather than waiting for the perfect system to emerge.  Check out our last episode with C.R Sincock, Avfuel, where we look at the development of the SAF supply chain: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/16057604

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• The SAF Podcast: Avfuel - Challenges of moving SAF from A to B

  Join us this week on The SAF Podcast, as we dive deep into the logistics and distribution challenges of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with CR Sincock from Avfuel, one of the largest global aviation fuel suppliers. As a leading distributor of SAF in business aviation, Avfuel offers unique insights into scaling SAF delivery across the United States.In this episode, Sincock discusses Avfuel's strategic partnership with Neste, the world's largest SAF producer, and reveals their exciting new role as a launch customer for Valero Diamond Green in Florida. This expansion marks a significant step in addressing the East Coast's underserved SAF market. He discusses how this collaboration addresses logistical challenges in transporting SAF beyond coastal regions, opening pathways to major hubs and underserved markets. CR provides insights into the challenges of moving physical SAF molecules and the current locations where Avfuel offers SAF. He also touches on the unique case of Truckee Tahoe airport, which operates on 100% SAF, highlighting the importance of local environmental consciousness in driving SAF adoption. The conversation covers crucial topics, such as the company's advanced book-and-claim system, designed to streamline SAF adoption by enabling customers to claim carbon reductions without physical fuel movement. They also discuss Avfuel Zero, a comprehensive sustainability consultancy helping aviation clients navigate offsets, emissions assessments, and compliance without requiring an in-house sustainability team. We explore the vital role of corporate responsibility in driving the adoption of SAF, especially among business and general aviation stakeholders. Discover how larg operators serving corporate clients are leading the charge, motivated by public scrutiny and the need to demonstrate proactive environmental stewardship. For industry professionals interested in SAF distribution, supply chain optimization, and the complexities of SAF blending to meet ASTM specifications, this episode offers essential insights into the current state and future development of SAF infrastructure in North America and beyond.If you enjoyed this episode, check out our other discussion with Mac Irvine from Jet Zero Australia, as we dive into the SAF production landscape down under: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/16017375 SAF Investor London - January 2025SAF Investor London will be back in London in January 2025 and will bring leading producers, investors, customers and policy makers together to discuss the major issues around scaling SAF production globally.We would love to see as many of you there as possible and you can find out more information, including book your tickets here: https://www.safinvestor.com/event/145508/saf-investor-london-2025/

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