Passengers could be a step closer to greener flights, after the government announced the latest funding round.
Over a dozen companies will receive a share of the £63m – supporting around 1,400 jobs and cementing the UK’s position as world leader in homegrown sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production.
The government has now invested a total of £198m in cleaner aviation technologies via the Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF).
Plus, the SAF Bill – introduced to Parliament earlier this year – aims to secure the future of the UK’s aviation sector and give investors the confidence to back sustainable aviation fuel production.
Low carbon fuel production could add up to £5 billion to the economy by 2050, position the UK as a global hub for SAF production and enable the UK to go further and faster with aviation expansion plans.
SAF is an alternative to fossil jet fuel which reduces greenhouse gas emissions on average by 70% on a lifecycle basis, from feedstock to biofuel.
Aviation Minister Mike Kane said: “This £63 million is lift off for Britain’s green aviation revolution. We’re not just backing brilliant British innovation; we’re creating thousands of high-skilled jobs and positioning the UK at the forefront of the global sustainable aviation market.
“From the labs of Sheffield to the runways of the future – this is how we kickstart economic growth, secure energy independence, and make Britain a clean energy superpower.”
The new funding was announced at the University of Sheffield’s Energy Innovation Centre – a centre for groundbreaking work on aircraft engine testbeds and revolutionary aviation fuels powered by £1.5 million from previous AFF funding rounds.
Prof Mohamed Pourkashanian, managing director of the university’s Energy Innovation Centre, is leading the project.
He said: “It is fantastic to see the University of Sheffield playing a leading role in the development of sustainable aviation fuel and supporting the aviation industry in its efforts to reduce its emissions.
“At Sheffield we have some of the most advanced SAF research facilities in Europe and are excited to work with partners from the industry to help them test and develop new fuels and next generation clean energy technologies.”
The AFF winners include a range of companies and are spread across the country, such as OXCCU Tech who are developing a demonstration plant at Oxford Airport, to LanzaJet who are building a commercial-scale plant in south Wales.
Andrew Symes, of OXCCU, said: “Support from the Advanced Fuels Fund is a key step in scaling our technology. This funding enables the detailed design and construction of OX2, our demonstration plant launching in 2026, and builds on the successful delivery of OX1. It brings us closer to producing lower-cost, lower-carbon aviation fuel and supports the UK’s ambition to become a global leader in SAF production.
