Technip Energies, Airbus, Safran, and Tereos have agreed to establish “Rebound”, a joint venture to develop a large-scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production plant at the Port of Dunkirk in Northern France.
The facility will utilise the Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ) pathway to produce approximately 160,000 tonnes of SAF annually from advanced ethanol derived from agricultural and forestry residues. The partners will fund the initial development phase, including engineering studies, ahead of a Final Investment Decision (FID).
The project aligns with the EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, which mandates progressive SAF blending targets reaching 6 per cent by 2030 and 70 per cent by 2050.
The consortium integrates the entire supply chain within a single European initiative:
- Technip Energies: Functions as lead developer and engineering service provider.
- Airbus and Safran: Act as industrial partners, offtake facilitators, and potential offtakers.
- Tereos: The French agricultural cooperative will source and supply the advanced ethanol feedstock.
The Port of Dunkirk has already allocated an industrial site for the project, providing transport links and a streamlined permitting pathway. Upcoming phases include selecting a technology licensor, commencing permitting, launching front-end engineering design (FEED) activities, and securing construction financing.
The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to finalise in the second half of this year.
Benjamin Lechuga, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer of Technip Energies, commented, “Sustainable Aviation Fuel is one of the most critical levers to decarbonise aviation, and the Alcohol-to-Jet pathway offers a credible, scalable route to get there.”
Julie Kitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer and Communications of Airbus, stated, “The Rebound project is a vote of confidence in SAF and in Europe’s ability to be a leader in the journey to decarbonise aviation. This project aims to increase the availability of lower-carbon fuels, contribute to reducing aviation emissions and strengthen Europe’s energy supply security, while creating a new job market.”
Nathalie Stubler, Chief Sustainability Officer of Safran, commented, “Developing Sustainable Aviation Fuel at scale is essential for decarbonising air transport. This ambitious project brings together leading French and European expertise, supporting the emergence of a competitive SAF industry.”
Jérôme Bos, Chief Strategy Officer of Tereos, declared, “We are delighted to contribute, through Rebound, to the emergence of the Alcohol-to-Jet industry in France, supporting the decarbonisation of the aviation sector.”
