Boeing, Clear Sky launch partnership to decarbonise aviation
U.K.’s Firefly Green Fuels is first beneficiary of the partnership and a Clear Sky-led consortium
(From left): Krishnan Narayanan, Founding Partner, Clear Sky, Brian Moran, Chief Sustainability Officer, Boeing and James Hygate, Chief Executive Officer, Firefly Green Fuels. Photo Credit: Boeing
Boeing and Clear Sky, an investment company dedicated to aviation sustainability, are joining forces to accelerate sustainability solutions for aviation.
As an initial project, the companies will help in testing and advancing Firefly Green Fuels’ cutting-edge technology to increase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in the U.K, says an official release from Boeing.
"Firefly transforms sewage waste feedstock into SAF through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). This process uses heat and high pressure to convert waste into biocrude oil and biochar, a powdery substance that can be used as a fertiliser. SAF produced from this abundant, yet untapped feedstock reduces lifecycle CO₂ emissions by more than 90 percent compared to traditional petroleum jet fuel, according to independent analysis."
The Clear Sky-led consortium of investors and strategic partners, including Boeing, will invest in Firefly’s new technology, subject to final diligence, the release added. Boeing will provide training, direction and facilitation on testing that will accelerate the qualification of this new route to SAF.
“SAF offers the greatest opportunity to decarbonise aviation, and the industry’s collective challenge of bringing it to scale globally requires new sustainable pathways,” says Brian Moran, Chief Sustainability Officer, Boeing. “Clear Sky combines many years of investment expertise with knowledge on aviation’s decarbonisation challenges. Firefly’s technology holds transformative potential as the SAF feedstock, sewage waste, is accessible in all regions of the globe."
James Hygate, CEO, Firefly adds: “In a world where demand for SAF outstrips available supply, Firefly is paving the way to cost-competitive and globally available fuel. With the support of Clear Sky and Boeing, we are propelling toward our goal of commercial production in the U.K. by 2029, and rapid replication across the globe.”
In addition to supporting Firefly, Boeing and Clear Sky are also planning an international investment partnership focused on sustainability solutions that span aviation and adjacent industries such as chemicals and materials. Areas of focus include SAF, alternative propulsion, carbon removal and advanced materials and recycling, the release added.
“Boeing is undoubtedly a leader in advancing aviation’s decarbonisation journey,” says Krishnan Narayanan, Founding Partner, Clear Sky. “We are delighted to be collaborating with Boeing to scale Firefly with more projects to be announced in the future.”
SAF currently represents 0.1 percent of global jet fuel use. In the U.K., the pending mandate to achieve 10 percent SAF in the jet fuel mix by 2030 will require 1.2 million tonnes of SAF by 2030, increasing to seven million tonnes by 2050. Boeing and Clear Sky’s investment demonstrates progress on the roadmap, the release added.
