Poland’s energy group PKN ORLEN signed an agreement to offer a low-carbon sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to LOT Polish Airlines, following the production of used cooking oils in the hydrotreated vegetable oil plant currently under construction in Płock.
This innovative product will offer a reduction of up to 80 per cent in carbon emissions over the lifecycle of the fuel compared to traditional jet fuel and is suitable for jet engines used in aircraft today.
In the NetZero resolution passed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) carriers committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. One response to the challenges facing the industry is the hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) technology, which converts feedstocks such as vegetable oils, waste cooking oils or algae oils into biofuel or into a biocomponent for jet fuel.
Once the project underway at the Płock refinery is completed, PKN ORLEN will be able to make up to 300,000 tonnes of hydrotreated oil per year, an equivalent of about 50 per cent of the jet fuel produced annually by the ORLEN Group.
“The aviation industry perfectly shows the scale of change that is taking place across the entire energy and fuel industry,” said Daniel Obajtek, President of the Management Board of PKN ORLEN. “That’s why we consistently invest and develop technologies that will enable us to offer advanced clean products to our customers while sharpening the competitive edge of the Group. According to our estimates, sustainable aviation fuels will account for 3 per cent of global consumption in 2030. This is a huge development opportunity, which we want to capitalise on effectively in line with the ORLEN2030 strategy.”
“Passengers’ trust in LOT is both an honour and a commitment,” commented Rafał Milczarski, President of the Management Board of LOT Polish Airlines (PLL LOT). “We care about the environment as well as the safety and comfort of travel. Sustainable fuel is one of the numerous initiatives PLL LOT is taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Pursuant to the agreement signed between PKN ORLEN and PLL LOT, the partners will share their knowledge and experience in sustainable fuels and jointly run projects to implement SAF in civil aviation, in line with the FIT for 55 package and the Refuel Aviation initiative.
PLL LOT plans to use sustainable aviation fuels as part of its Destination ECO strategy. Although regulations requiring the use of sustainable fuels in the EU are currently being discussed, LOT already wants to use SAF on all flights from the airports where the fuel will be supplied by PKN ORLEN.
