Boeing and Clear Sky, an investment firm have announced a partnership to foster sustainability in aviation. Their initial collaboration focuses on advancing Firefly Green Fuels’ innovative technology to enhance Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production in the UK, utilising sewage waste as a feedstock.
Firefly Green Fuel’s process involves hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), which transforms sewage waste into biocrude oil and biochar through heat and high pressure to be used as SAF. This method significantly reduces CO₂ emissions by over 90% compared to traditional jet fuel. The Clear Sky led consortium, including Boeing, will invest in this technology pending final diligence. Boeing will also assist in training and testing to fast-track the SAF qualification process.
Brian Moran, Boeing’s chief sustainability officer said, “SAF offers the greatest opportunity to decarbonize aviation, and the industry’s collective challenge of bringing it to scale globally requires new sustainable pathways.”
At present, SAF represents only 0.1% of the global jet fuel use. The UK’s pending mandate to achieve 10% SAF in jet fuel mix by 2030 will require 1.2 million tonnes of SAF by 2030 and 7 million tonnes by 2050 according to ICF’s UK Net Zero Carbon Roadmap. Firefly’s technology could meet a significant portion of this demand with its cost-effective and globally accessible SAF.
James Hygate, CEO of Firefly, said “In a world where demand for SAF outstrips available supply, Firefly is paving the way to cost-competitive and globally available fuel. With the support of Clear Sky and Boeing, we are propelling toward our goal of commercial production in the UK by 2029, and rapid replication across the globe.”
Alongside supporting Firefly, Boeing and Clear Sky are initiating an international investment partnership centered on sustainability solutions across aviation and related sectors, including chemicals and materials. Their focus will include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), alternative propulsion systems, carbon removal technologies, and advanced materials and recycling.
Krishnan Narayanan, Founding Partner at Clear Sky said, “We are delighted to be collaborating with Boeing to scale Firefly with more projects to be announced in the future.”