Introduction

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is recognized as the key enabling technology to achieve the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) goal of Net Zero aviation by 2050.  Outside of the International Aerospace Environmental Group (IAEG), the commercial aviation industry, on a voluntary and unilateral company-by-company basis, has expressed the goal of commercial aircraft being compatible with 100% SAF by 2030, with the defense industry also looking towards SAF compatibility for its products.

The pathways to produce SAF are evolving, and various new types of SAFs are being considered. For the purpose of this group’s charter, we define two main SAF pathways:

• “Drop-In” - 100% Synthetic
• “Non-Drop-In” – 100% paraffinic, 0% aromatic synthetic aviation fuel

Purpose

IAEG’s Work Group 13 (WG13) will assess compatibility of Non-Drop-In fuels with current aircraft structure and systems (including engines, APUs, fuel systems, and any other component or material that could touch fuel) and evaluate any gaps in infrastructure readiness to support Non-Drop-In fuel. This will provide the aerospace industry with a holistic assessment of what changes would be required to support a Non-Drop-In fuel. The Work Group intends to assess industry’s readiness for a broader range of fuels beyond those currently under consideration by the ASTM International subcommittee on Fuels. Work Group 13 will monitor and engage in current efforts within ASTM to approve the new standard for 100% Synthetic “Drop-In” SAF fuels. Monitoring “Drop-In” SAF activities serves to inform OEMs about these SAF pathways while understanding their benefits and impacts.

Problem Statement

A fundamental steppingstone to reach ICAO’s 2050 net zero goal will be the production and increased use of SAF on all aviation platforms. Both “Drop-In” and “Non-Drop-In” pathways are essential to this goal and can be developed in parallel. However, advancing the “Non-Drop-In'' pathway is complicated by the fact that there are no agreed properties currently available for the specification. In an effort to fill this gap, this working group will focus on 100% “Non-Drop-In” SAF to accelerate its implementation on aircrafts and infrastructure.

Compatibility of aircraft airframes, engines, and all ground infrastructure requires assessment and de-risking for 100% “Non-Drop-In” fuel. This Work Group can address these risks efficiently and cost-effectively by providing deliverables to be used voluntarily and unilaterally by member companies and the industry.

Objectives

• Assess current information regarding 100% SAF to identify gaps in the aerospace industry
• Assess materials, systems, and parts for compatibility with 100% SAF, for voluntary and unilateral consideration and use by companies
• Coordinate 100% SAF testing efforts across applicable aircraft, engine & system stakeholders, for voluntary and unilateral consideration and use by companies
• Support, as needed, both the “Drop-In” and “Non-Drop-In” ASTM subcommittees on their creation of new ASTM standards
• Provide information and support for airport 100% SAF customers infrastructure and logistics

CONTACT: Jamie Reyes