Decarbonizing Aviation: The Role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and C4 Grass Biomass

Table of Contents

1. Why Aviation Needs a Fuel Revolution
2. Scaling Up SAF: The Key to Aviation's Net-Zero Future
3. Strategic Partnerships Driving Innovation  
4. Leveraging C4 Grass Biomass for Biofuel Production
5. Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future
6. Conclusion: A Collaborative Path Toward Sustainable Aviation

Why Aviation Needs a Fuel Revolution

Flying remains one of the most carbon-intensive activities, with the aviation industry still heavily reliant on fossil fuels.

Aviation accounted for 2.5% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions in 2023, a seemingly small percentage, but one that is rapidly growing. Between 2000 and 2019, aviation emissions expanded faster than those of rail, road, or shipping. With international travel rebounding after the Covid-19 pandemic, aviation emissions reached almost 950 Mt CO₂ in 2023, surpassing 90% of pre-pandemic levels.

The aviation industry is poised for significant growth. In 2023, airlines carried approximately 4.4 billion passengers, according to the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG). The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that this figure will nearly double by 2037, reaching 8.2 billion annually. As flights continue to increase, so too will the sector’s carbon footprint—unless immediate action is taken.

To align with the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) Scenario, the industry must rapidly scale up low-carbon fuels, enhance airframe and engine designs, optimize flight operations, and implement demand management strategies.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), by 2030, aviation and shipping will account for more than 75% of new biofuel demand, underscoring aviation’s pivotal role in the transition to sustainable energy.

SAF is derived from renewable feedstocks such as waste oils, agricultural residues, and energy crops, and can also be synthesized by capturing carbon directly from the air. Unlike fossil fuels, which release previously locked carbon into the atmosphere, SAF recycles CO₂ absorbed by biomass, making it a more sustainable alternative. Additionally, it does not compete with food crops, water supplies, or contribute to forest degradation.

A major advantage of SAF is its ability to blend with conventional jet fuel at up to 50% without requiring modifications to aircraft engines or fuel systems, making it an immediate and scalable solution for reducing emissions.

Over its lifecycle, SAF can cut aviation emissions by up to 80% while remaining fully compatible with existing aviation infrastructure. As global SAF adoption accelerates, its role in decarbonizing the aviation industry will continue to expand.

Scaling Up SAF: The Key to Aviation's Net-Zero Future

The aviation industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, making the rapid scale-up of SAF essential to achieving net-zero targets. SAF is a critical solution for reducing aviation’s environmental impact, and its adoption is growing. To date, over 360,000 commercial flights have already used SAF across 46 airports, primarily in the United States and Europe, demonstrating its increasing role in aviation decarbonization.

However, current SAF production falls far short of industry needs. The International Air

IATA projects a demand of 400 million tons of SAF annually by 2050, yet production in 2024 reached only 1 million tons (1.3 billionliters). This is significantly below earlier estimates, which projected 2024 SAF production at 1.5 million tons (1.9billion liters). By 2025, production is expected to reach 2.1 million tons (2.7 billion liters), representing just 0.7% of total jet fuel production.

This stark gap underscores the urgent need for innovation, investment, feedstock expansion, and infrastructure development to scale up SAF production and make it a viable alternative to fossil jet fuel.

Governments and policymakers are responding to this challenge. The EU and UK have introduced SAF blending mandates, requiring airlines to incorporate 2% SAF by 2025, with targets rising to 10% in the UK and 6% in the EU by 2030. These regulations reflect the growing urgency to expand SAF production and adoption, ensuring aviation can transition toward a net-zero future.

Strategic Partnerships Driving Innovation

Collaborations are key to advancing biofuel technologies and scaling SAF production. Industry leaders such as Licella and Shell Catalysts & Technologies are pioneering integrated biorefinery solutions that enhance biofuel yields while reducing production costs on a global scale.

Our partnership with Votion Biorefineries aligns with this vision, accelerating the development of advanced biofuels through biomass innovation and strategic industrial collaborations. By combining expertise and resources, we are driving the next generation of sustainable fuel solutions, supporting the aviation sector’s transition toward a net-zero future.

Leveraging C4-Grass Biomass for Biofuel Production

At Jord, our partnership with Votion Biorefineries places us at the forefront of this transition. Votion’s expertise in converting diverse biomass into advanced biofuels and SAF complements our specialization in cultivating and commercializing sustainable C4-grass biomass grown on marginal and degraded lands. This collaboration not only addresses the increasing demand for bioenergy but also contributes significantly to the production of biocrude and SAF, paving the way for a more sustainable aviation.

Why Choose C4 Grass Biomass for SAF?‍

SAF production faces significant challenges related to feedstock availability, scalability, and sustainability. Currently, SAF relies on waste oils, fats, and agricultural residues, which have limited supply and regional constraints. C4 grass biomass presents a game changing alternative by enhancing feedstock availability, ensuring a more diverse, scalable, and resilient supply chain for biofuel production. Jord is currently expanding operations in the Dominican Republic and Senegal, with ambitious plans to scale further by cultivating grass on marginal land in multiple new locations.

Key Ways C4 Grass Biomass Enhances Feedstock Availability and Scalability

1. ‍Expanding Feedstock Diversity: C4 grasses offer a scalable, non-food feedstock, complementing existing sources and reducing dependence on finite waste materials. ‍
2. Grown on Marginal and Degraded Lands: C4 grasses thrive on marginal or degraded lands, avoiding competition with agriculture while expanding the total land available for SAF feedstock cultivation. This not only reduces strain on food production but also creates employment opportunities in rural areas, where economic development is needed.‍
3. High Biomass Yield for Increased Supply: C4 grasses can produce up to 50 tons of biomass per hectare per year, significantly outperforming many traditional bioenergy crops. Their rapid growth cycle ensures a continuous and scalable biomass supply to meet the increasing SAF demand. ‍
4. Carbon Sequestration and Sustainability Benefits: C4 grasses efficiently captureand store CO₂, contributing to carbon-negative SAF production. Their deep root systems restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, and improve water retention, boosting the sustainability of biofuel supply chains.

By supplying this biomass to Votion’s biorefineries, we enhance feedstock flexibility and scalability, supporting production of SAF, Marine Diesel, Biocrude, etc. at a global level.

Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future

1. ‍Establishing Biorefineries in Key Production Regions: Building biorefineries in high-potential regions like the Dominican Republic and Senegal, where C4-grass biomass can be cultivated on marginal lands. This will not only support local economies and create jobs but also facilitate the development of large-scale production facilities that minimize transportation-related emissions.
2.  Developing Joint Market Offerings: Combining our expertise to create scalable, renewable biofuel solutions that leverage C4-grass biomass as a versatile, reliable feedstock for SAF, marine diesel, biocrude, and more. Our approach focuses on developing a robust, diverse feedstock supply that can scale significantly over time.‍
3. Advancing Research and Development: Conducting comprehensive R&D to optimize the performance and economic viability of C4-grass biomass for biofuel production at scale. Our research will focus on maximizing advanced biofuels yield, ensuring the long-term sustainability of feedstock supply, and advancing the technology needed to support SAF production at volumes capable of meeting growing global demand.‍
4. Implementing Scalable and Sustainable Business Models: Collaborating on financing strategies and scaling solutions to enable the production of several hundred thousand tons of SAF by 2040. We will take a phased approach, allowing for rapid expansion as SAF demand increases while ensuring that local communities and ecosystems benefit from the industry's growth.‍
5. Commissioning Joint Facilities with a Focus on Scale: Our long-term vision includes operationalizing the first joint biorefinery within the next eight years, with the capacity to produce SAF at a significant scale. By expanding production across multiple regions, we aim to progressively increase capacity, ultimately contributing millions of tons of SAF to the global market by 2040 and beyond.

Conclusion: A Collaborative Path Toward Sustainable Aviation

The transition to SAF is no longer an option—it is a necessity. As global air travel continues to grow, reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint is essential for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. However, despite its potential, SAF production remains far below the levels required to meet industry demand, highlighting the urgent need for investment, policy support, and infrastructure expansion.

At Jord, our collaboration with Votion Biorefineries exemplifies the kind of strategic partnerships needed to accelerate SAF adoption. By leveraging C4-grass biomass, we are enhancing scalability, feedstock flexibility, and sustainability, ensuring that biofuels become a viable, long-term solution for aviation.

Moving forward, continued innovation, collaboration, and commitment will be key to making SAF widely available and cost competitive. Governments, industries, and research institutions must work together to build a robust SAF supply chain that can support the aviation industry’s decarbonization goals.

By scaling sustainable fuel production, advancing biofuel technologies, and developing integrated biorefinery solutions, we can pave the way for a cleaner, greener future for aviation. The path ahead is challenging, but with collective action, a more sustainable aviation industry is within reach.