Europe’s fuel manufacturers are strategic allies — not obstacles — in achieving climate neutrality. We stand ready to accelerate decarbonization across all transport sectors, with the right policy support.
Europe’s fuel manufacturers are strategic allies — not obstacles — in achieving climate neutrality.
With growing concern, FuelsEurope and its members observe the recent public discourse questioning the availability of SAF in Europe — and, astonishingly, the commitment of Europe’s fuel manufacturing sector.
Recent claims by the aviation industry, citing an early version of a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report,1 allege that fuel producers are falling short of delivering SAF to market. Yet, strikingly, this report omits any mention of the European refining industry’s ongoing contributions to EU climate targets under the ReFuelEU Aviation initiative. Following public misuse of the study, BCG itself clarified that global bio-SAF supplies are projected to reach 9 to 12 million tons by 2030. This comfortably exceeds regulatory demand, including ReFuelEU’s 3 million ton target.
Facts matter: Europe’s fuel industry is already delivering
Today, Europe’s HEFA capacity — the most common bio-SAF — stands at 1.5 million tonnes per year, with another 2.4 million tonnes of additional firm SAF capacity set to be added up to 2029. For context:
- 2025 ReFuelEU mandate (2 percent): requires 1 million tonnes — which has already been achieved.
- 2030 ReFuelEU mandate (6 percent): requires 2.7 million tonnes — which is well within reach.
Even the regional European Union Aviation Safety Agency2 (EASA) affirms that SAF supply is expected to exceed 3.2 million tonnes annually by 2030, backed by a surge of projects across Europe. And according to Argus Media, EU SAF capacity will outpace demand until at least 2035. Moreover, SAF production implies the production of co-products that will find their way into road transport.