The SAF Podcast

This week we are joined on The SAF Podcast by Kwame Bekoe, AfriSAF. With over 20 years of aviation experience spanning engineering, sales, and sustainability, Kwame shares his vision for Africa as a major player in the global SAF industry. He discusses how the continent’s vast agricultural residue—estimated at over 150 million tons annually—can be leveraged to produce SAF, fostering energy independence and economic growth.

We examine AfriSAF’s model of integrating smallholder farmers into a data-driven supply chain, using digital platforms and pilot biodigester projects to prove the value of waste-to-energy conversion. Kwame outlines how AfriSAF is targeting scalable SAF production in countries like Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia and many others. 

What makes this particularly compelling is how it addresses multiple challenges simultaneously. For African nations struggling with energy security, SAF production offers domestic fuel sources at potentially competitive prices – Kwame suggests Africa could be one of the few places where SAF might achieve cost parity with conventional jet fuel. For rural communities facing limited economic opportunities, these projects create meaningful employment that keeps people connected to their agricultural roots while participating in the green economy. And for a continent with the world's youngest population (averaging just 19 years old) that's projected to reach 2.5 billion people by 2050, developing sustainable industries now creates the foundation for long-term prosperity.

The challenges are substantial – from infrastructure limitations to investor risk perception – but the momentum is building. With the African Continental Free Trade Area creating the world's largest open market and continental initiatives promoting easier movement across borders, the conditions for a thriving pan-African SAF industry are emerging. Through strategic partnerships with governments, airlines, and financial institutions, Africa need not just be a consumer of sustainable aviation fuel but could eventually become a significant global producer and exporter.

Want to learn more about SAF development in emerging markets? Join us at SAF Investor London on May 28-29th, and you can find out more here: https://www.safinvestor.com/event/145508/saf-investor-london-2025/

In this episode of The SAF Podcast, we go behind the curtain of UK sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) policy with former Aviation Minister and former Member of Parliament for the UK Robert Courts. 

Listeners will gain a rare glimpse into the complexities of government policymaking—from managing cross-departmental collaboration and limited civil service bandwidth to ensuring stakeholder engagement and long-term adaptability.

Courts candidly addresses industry concerns about implementation timelines, revealing the unavoidable bandwidth limitations within government and the necessity of thorough consultation. He takes us through the formation of the Jet Zero Council (now Task Force), explaining how it transformed the government-industry relationship from policy being "done to" industry to being developed "with" industry. We also discuss the Green Fuels Green Skies competition which paved the way for the Advanced Fuel Fund which has given grants to numerous leading SAF production technology developers in the UK. 

This collaborative approach has survived changes in government precisely because sustainable aviation enjoys broad cross-party support.

You can also find out about the process of developing policy, exemplified by the development of the Revenue Certainty Mechanism. We look at the pros and cons of this long process and actually discuss why these processes are in place. 

We finish by looking at the big challenges in developing the infrastructure for domestic SAF production as well as what policy makers wish industry understood more about the policy making process. 

Make sure you check this episode out to get behind the process of policy development and why policy takes the shape it does. 

Find out previous episode where we looked at the investment landscape in the UK and where investment is going here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/16944093

 In this episode of The SAF Podcast, Oscar sits down with Michelle Carter, Head of Transport at Innovate UK Business Connect, to explore the current state and future trajectory of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the UK. With over a decade of experience in SAF, Michelle offers a unique lens into the evolution of the UK’s SAF ecosystem—from early-stage innovation to national mandates and public awareness. 

The conversation delves into the UK's position in the global SAF market, revealing that the country attracts just over 1% of global SAF investment, with a surprising 29% focused on power-to-liquid technology. Even more revealing is that domestic investment remains strikingly low compared to foreign capital pouring in from Europe and the United States. Michelle discusses the critical role of the UK SAF Clearing House in helping innovative technologies navigate regulatory landscapes and the importance of domestic versus imported production.

The episode highlights interesting contrasts between UK and international investment patterns, particularly examining Spain's success with operational SAF facilities. Michelle explains how government policies like the SAF mandate and renewable certainty mechanism aim to stimulate growth in domestic production, targeting 2% sustainable jet fuel by 2025 and 10% by 2030.

The conversation also covers international comparisons, such as Spain’s refinery-led approach, and why the UK still imports most of its SAF. We delve into public perception, noting that 70% of UK adults still don’t know what SAF is—highlighting the critical role of airlines, airports, and producers in improving consumer education. 

The regional variations in understanding—particularly how Wales demonstrated superior knowledge about waste-gas pathways due to local industry initiatives—highlight both the challenges and opportunities in consumer education. As Michelle notes, "If you communicate with the right narrative, people get it and they understand it."

Whether you are a UK local or from another geography, understanding the challenges and work being done in the UK, and across the globe is critical to decarbonise aviation globally. 

You can find both reports referred to in our discussion here: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/knowledge-centre/perspectives/?_sft_sector=transport

Check out our previous conversation with Mac Irvine, Jet Zero Australia here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/16017375

Connor Madigan, founder of Aether Fuels, joins Oscar on this week's episode of The SAF Podcast.  Madigan shares his journey from founding a successful OLED manufacturing equipment company to pioneering a transformative approach to SAF technology through Aether's Aurora solution. 

At the heart of our conversation is Aether Fuels'  Aurora technology, developed with GTI Energy, which reimagines the traditional Fischer-Tropsch process for sustainable fuel production. By focusing on the syngas generation and upgrading steps, their system achieves up to 50% capital cost reduction and 20% higher yields than conventional approaches. Conor expertly breaks down how their "tri-conversion" reactor and innovative catalysts simplify production while maximizing carbon utilisation.

We also explore the evolving landscape of SAF offtake agreements, where Conor provides valuable insights into the tension between investors requiring long-term contracts and airlines traditionally accustomed to shorter fuel purchasing timeframes. His perspective on how creative deal structures are emerging to balance risk and opportunity illuminates a critical aspect of scaling sustainable fuels.

Madigan also provides a nuanced perspective on strategic investor selection, highlighting the importance of partners who bring deep market understanding beyond pure capital. We also look at how this is managed against a backdrop of higher policy uncertainty and how to adapt to work with less policy certainty.

If you enjoyed this episode check out our previous discussion with Mukund Karanjikar, CleanJoule: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/15427620

 In this episode of The SAF Podcast, host Oscar is joined by Lahiru Ranasinghe, Director of Sustainability at EasyJet, to explore the airline’s journey toward net zero. With aviation’s decarbonization at the forefront of industry discussions, Lahiru outlines EasyJet’s three-pronged strategy—Reduce, Replace, Remove—which balances efficiency improvements, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) adoption, and long-term hydrogen integration. 

 Discover how EasyJet is navigating the complex SAF landscape by strategically securing supply agreements across Europe to meet regulatory mandates while exploring voluntary market opportunities. Lahiru provides candid insights into the airline's SAF procurement strategy, highlighting recent partnerships with producers like ENI in Italy and Moeve in Spain. Whilst acknowledging that airlines "can't optimize their way to zero."

The conversation tackles the SAF green premium head-on - sustainable aviation fuel costs 2-7 times more than conventional jet fuel, yet EasyJet operates with razor-thin margins of just £6.10 profit per seat. This creates a fundamental tension for an airline committed to democratizing air travel. Their pragmatic solution? Focus first on securing SAF partnerships across Europe to meet regulatory mandates while exploring innovative approaches like corporate SAF certificates that allow business customers to address their Scope 3 emissions.

Ranasinghe also gives a candid assessment of the "first-mover disadvantage" in long-term SAF agreements. With future production likely to become more efficient and less expensive, airlines that lock in decade-long contracts today risk putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage tomorrow. This chicken-and-egg problem requires creative solutions like Project SkyPower's proposed market intermediary to bridge the gap between producers' need for certainty and airlines' commercial realities.

 We also dive into EasyJet’s hydrogen ambitions, discussing Airbus' timeline delays, the impact on fleet planning, and how hydrogen-powered aircraft could revolutionize short-haul travel by 2040. Plus, we examine the financial realities of SAF adoption, carbon pricing under EU ETS, and whether passengers are willing to pay a green premium.

You might have noticed a trend for Project Skypower over recent episodes and the work they are doing developing EFuel policy infrastructure, which you can find out more here: https://project-skypower.org/

If you enjoyed this episode, check out our previous episode with Jonathan Pardoe, Star Alliance here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/13933438

In this episode of The SAF Podcast, Alex Kueper, VP of Renewable Aviation at Neste, the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)joins Oscar. As the industry pushes towards net-zero emissions by 2050, Alex provides a deep dive into Neste’s expansion, the evolving market landscape, and the key challenges shaping the future of SAF. 

What began as Finland's post-WWII oil refiner evolved into a renewable energy leader that placed billion-dollar bets on sustainable fuels long before mandates or incentives existed. This wasn't profit-driven speculation – it was purposeful innovation rooted in environmental stewardship.

 The conversation explores Neste's significant production capacity expansion in Singapore and Rotterdam, and how the company quadrupled its SAF sales between 2023-2024 despite market challenges. Neste’s partnerships with major customers such as Air Canada and DHL are another key topic, showcasing the importance of long-term agreements in driving SAF adoption. 

 He also discusses the growing role of mandates and incentives, including the impact of RefuelEU Aviation, the evolving U.S. tax credit landscape, and how policy support will determine the industry’s trajectory. 

 With governments, airlines, and corporate buyers navigating shifting regulations and cost structures, this episode offers essential insights for industry professionals looking to stay ahead of the SAF transition. 

If you enjoyed this discussion, check out our previous episode with CR Sincock, Avfuel: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/16057604

 In this episode of The SAF Podcast, we dive into the evolving world of biomass-to-liquid fuels as Oscar chats with Anders Edling Hultgren, Founder of Votion Biorefineries. With nearly two decades in biofuels, Anders shares his journey from the Swedish forestry sector to pioneering innovations in bio-oil production. 

 Hultgren shares his groundbreaking approach to converting diverse biomass feedstocks—from bark and forestry residues to agricultural waste—into high-quality bio-oils suitable for hydroprocessing. 

The discussion explores critical challenges in sustainable fuel production, including the complex process of metal removal from bio-oils to ensure catalyst longevity in refinery operations. Hultgren reveals his technology's remarkable ability to liquefy nearly 100% of biomass inputs, positioning Votion as a potential game-changer in the renewable fuels landscape.

Key insights include the importance of energy independence, the potential for global biomass utilization, and the strategic approach of leveraging existing refinery infrastructure. Hultgren candidly discusses the entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing patience, perseverance, and continuous innovation as fundamental to developing transformative sustainable fuel technologies.

 This conversation also touches on the Nordic region’s leadership in biofuels, the scalability of biomass solutions, and the balancing act between technological innovation and commercial viability. 

If you enjoyed this episode check out our previous conversation with Wendy Owens, Hexas Biomass: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/14544753

This episode of the SAF Podcast welcomes Julia Reinaud from Breakthrough Energy to discuss how sustainable aviation fuel fits into Europe's renewable energy landscape. Julia shares insights from her extensive background in climate policy and energy innovation, explaining Breakthrough Energy's mission, since its founding in 2015 on the back of the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, to accelerate the clean energy transition through its network of investment vehicles, policy efforts, and philanthropic initiatives.

The conversation explores the critical challenges facing the SAF industry, particularly for e-SAF (synthetic fuels) development in Europe. Julia highlights Project SkyPower, an initiative bringing together over 50 organizations to unlock final investment decisions for commercial-scale e-SAF projects. She discusses the importance of bankable offtake agreements, regulatory certainty, and innovative financial mechanisms to bridge the "green premium" gap.

Julia offers valuable perspective on how public-private partnerships can drive progress, citing Breakthrough Energy's collaboration with the European Investment Bank and European Commission. She emphasizes the urgent timeline for meeting 2030 mandates, noting that Europe needs 600 kilotons of e-SAF annually but only has 300 kilotons of capacity on track to be operational by then.

This episode provides crucial insights into policy alignment challenges, technology development pathways, and the systemic changes needed to scale sustainable aviation fuels and meet ambitious climate targets in Europe and beyond.

If you enjoyed this episode, check out our previous discussion with Matteo Mirolo during his time at Transport and Environment: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202964/episodes/13415579

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

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