TotalEnergies has initiated the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its Normandy platform in north-western France.
With this move, the firm aims to fulfil the French government’s new mandate for aircraft to use at least 1% of SAF by 1 January 2022.
TotalEnergies Refining and Chemicals president Bernard Pinatel said: “By announcing the start-up of SAF production at a new site in France, we are responding to strong demand from the aviation industry to reduce its carbon footprint.
“We are also confirming our commitment to support customers by offering innovative solutions to reduce their emissions. This commitment is fully aligned with the Company’s climate ambition to get to net zero emissions by 2050, together with society.”
The Normandy platform is said to complement bio-jet fuel production at La Mède biorefinery that is located in Bouches-du-Rhône and also the Oudalle plant in the Seine-Maritime region.
Beginning 2024, TotalEnergies plans to start production of SAF at its Grandpuits zero-crude platform, which is located southeast of Paris.
The company further noted that the biojet fuel supplied to French airports will be produced using waste and residue that will be sourced from the ‘circular economy.’
Last September, TotalEnergies and Safran agreed to develop and implement SAF with an objective to decarbonise the aviation industry.
The move will also support the two companies’ 2050 net-zero carbon emission target.
