Dutch-Swedish consortium covering the whole value chain

The consortium, which represents the whole value chain of the production, joins forces in order to increase the availability of SAF in Sweden and North Europe. To meet future demand partners will research all engineering, technical, business and sustainability angles of the project. NGOs, the Swedish government, Södra, certification systems, academics and SkyNRG’s Sustainability Board are being involved to set the right sustainability framework for this project. Sustainability factors considered in the study include the carbon balance and the biodiversity of the forest as well as potential displacement effects of utilising forestry residues for SAF production.

SAF not widely available

The current generation of aircraft engines require liquid fuels. These aircraft cannot switch to alternative energy sources such as hydrogen or electricity in the short term, and neither can airport infrastructure. SAF, as a ‘drop-in fuel’ is the solution to drastically reduce CO₂ emissions in aviation in the short to medium term, with no modifications to infrastructure or equipment required. SAF is not widely available yet. It has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 75 to almost 100 percent in its neat form, depending on the combination of technology pathway and feedstock, and as long as stringent sustainability criteria are met.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines: focus on alternative technologies

Karel Bockstael, VP Sustainability at KLM, an ambitious and pioneering airline in making the operation and the aviation sector more sustainable: “To be able to become more sustainable in the future, KLM is focusing on scaling up production and use of SAF. For more SAF, we must focus on all technologies side by side and encourage the initial upscaling of production facilities. The application we support in Sweden is an important next step in the development. Current technologies based on used cooking oils will reach its limit due to scarcity, and the development of sustainable synthetic SAF has financial and technological challenges to overcome. The technology we will be deploying in Sweden is based on Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and produces jet fuel based on forestry residues. There is a lot of this residue available in Sweden and the rest of Europe, making it a promising project.”

Södra: small-scale family forestry of 53,000 forest owners

Lotta Lyrå, President and CEO of Södra, an international forest industry group and the largest forest-owner association in Sweden with a membership of 53,000 forest owners: “Södra is devoted to maximize the use of every tree that comes from our 53,000 member’s forests in Southern Sweden. Using every part – like residues – is key in our ambition to show the way to a fossil-free society and contribute to the climate transition. Making high quality Sustainable Aviation Fuel from forest residues not suitable for buildings or other materials is a way of doing so and help de-carbonize aviation. With this consortium, we are working through the entire value chain to take the next step towards creating a new industry of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.”

Växjö, greenest City in Europe

Erik Tellgren, CEO of Växjö Energi, provider of products and services in the areas of electricity, district heating and district cooling in Växjö Municipality, Sweden: “Växjö Energi provides efficiently produced fossil free district heating, district cooling and electricity at the CHP plant Sandviksverket in Växjö Municipality, Sweden. Växjö, the Greenest City in Europe, has a strong will to continue contributing to reducing climate change. We also trust it is beneficial to extend our plant to also produce sustainable aviation fuel from forest residues. This would be great and as a first-of-a-kind project of vital importance to the sustainable energy transition necessary.”

SkyNRG, SAF frontrunner

Maarten van Dijk, Managing Director of SkyNRG, pioneer in SAF with the industry's biggest dedicated SAF team: “As one of the global market leaders in Sustainable Aviation Fuel we are active partners in a multitude of projects, focused on scaling different feedstock/technology pathways. The potential to use forestry residues for higher value end-uses, like SAF, is there. But before taking a next step in scaling up, it is critical to make sure we understand the sustainability and impacts of this new, integrated supply chain. We are therefore very grateful for the strong partnership and financial support from the Swedish government to take a next big step in understanding the true potential of this feedstock/technology setup.”

During today's test, an empty KLM Boeing 737 was towed to the runway by the Taxibot. "It's important to find out how far we can cut CO₂ emissions by using the Taxibot," explained KLM's project manager, Jeroen Jaartsveld. "We'd also like to know how long it takes to taxi with the Taxibot, what effect this has on aircraft engine maintenance, and how we might introduce sustainable taxiing with Taxibots on a large scale into Schiphol's daily operations."

Fly Responsibly

KLM's sustainability initiative, Fly Responsibly, launched last year, included a commitment to reducing carbon emissions caused by taxiing. This will contribute to KLM's ambition to cut its fleet's total carbon emissions by 15% compared to 2005.

The cooperation between KLM and Lavazza fits perfectly with KLM’s Fly Responsibly initiative as KLM takes the lead in achieving a more sustainable future for civil aviation. The airline is doing this by making its products and processes even more sustainable, now and in the future. But real progress will only be possible if the entire industry works together. As part of Fly Responsibly, KLM is inviting passengers to take part in its CO2ZERO compensation programme, and asking companies to make their business trips more sustainable by participating in the Corporate BioFuel Programme.

On the photo: Mario Cerutti, Chief Institutionals Relations & Sustainability Officer Lavazza (l) and Barry ter Voert, SVP Europe Air France-KLM

Sustainability objectives Lavazza

Lavazza is the first Italian company to support KLM’s Corporate BioFuel Programme. The multinational has decided to marry a concrete collaboration with the major organizations that aim to make a system towards sustainability objectives, by signing the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and joining the United Nations Global Compact.

About KLM and sustainable aviation fuel

KLM has been using SAF to an extent since 2011 and is currently the only European airline using sustainable fuel on intercontinental flights.

In May of last year, KLM committed to developing and purchasing 75,000 tonnes of sustainable kerosene per year for a period of ten years. This makes it the world’s first airline to invest in SAF on a large scale. World market leader in SAF, SkyNRG, wants to build Europe’s first sustainable kerosene plant for this purpose in Delfzijl, the Netherlands.

KLM only sources sustainable aviation fuels based on waste and residue feedstocks that significantly reduce the CO2 footprint and do not have a negative impact on food production or the environment.

Air France-KLM number 1 in Dow Jones Sustainability Index

In September 2019 it was announced that Air France-KLM was ranked at the top of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) in the Airlines category. KLM is proud of this first position. It is a clear sign that KLM is investing successfully in making KLM and the airline industry more sustainable – socially, environmentally, and economically.

CO2ZERO compensation service

KLM’s CO2ZERO compensation service enables passengers to compensate for their flight-related carbon emissions. Passengers who choose to compensate contribute to the “CO2OL Tropical Mix” reforestation initiative in Panama. This project carries the Gold Standard Global Goals certificate. The project combines the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem restoration with sustainable timber production and small-scale sustainable cacao plantations. Besides the numerous environmental benefits, the project’s activities integrate capacity building and create long-term employment with a sustainable source of income for the local population.

Fly Responsibly

Fly Responsibly embodies KLM’s commitment to creating a sustainable future for air transport. It incorporates all of KLM’s current and future efforts to improve the sustainability of its activities. But true progress can only be achieved if the entire sector cooperates. With “Fly Responsibly”, KLM invites consumers to opt for CO2 compensation services, while companies are invited to compensate for business travel via the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme.

Reducing the environmental footprint

For years now, KLM Cargo has been working to shrink its environmental footprint, for instance, by reducing waste. The combination of solutions that the Sustainable Business Challenge generates aims to ensure that KLM Cargo’s Amsterdam hub will achieve its waste reduction target of 50% less residual waste by 2030 compared to 2011.

Fly Responsibly

KLM Cargo’s participation in the 2019 Sustainable Business Challenge fits in perfectly with KLM’s Fly Responsibly initiative. Fly Responsibly shows KLM’s commitment to creating a more sustainable future for the airline industry. It includes everything KLM is doing now and in the future to improve the sustainability of its operations. However, only when the entire sector works together can we make real progress. As part of the Fly Responsibly campaign, KLM invites its customers to use its carbon compensation programme and asks companies to compensate for their business travel by taking part in the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme.

KLM Cargo is one of five companies providing business cases for the challenge. The others are ProRail, Waternet, ForFarmers, and ENGIE. Visit the website (in Dutch) to register until 25 October 2019.

KLM has regularly indicated that it is in favour of replacing short-haul flights with rail services, as long as trains fully match the speed, reliability and comfort that air travel offers passengers. The decision to reduce flight frequency from five to four flights a day on the Brussels-Schiphol route, in combination with the improved Air&Rail product aboard the Thalys, is a first step. KLM intends to gradually cut back the number of flights between Brussels and Schiphol. The Brussels-Schiphol route is used by passengers who catch connecting flights to intercontinental destinations at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

“Fly Responsibly” and slot restrictions

This step is part of KLM’s commitment to “Fly Responsibly”, which aims to create a sustainable future for air transport, but it also reflects our commitment to the sector plan Smart and Sustainable. Next to that, KLM is faced with slot restrictions at Schiphol. By replacing short-haul flights with rail services, scarce slots can be used for services to long-haul destinations. Rail services will maintain feeder traffic to Schiphol, while network quality improves thanks to the more varied range of available destinations.

Improvement of the Air&Rail product

Air&Rail is easy to book via KLM.com and travel agents. To ensure smoother connections with KLM flights, Thalys, NS, KLM and Schiphol are seeking to improve baggage handling and other services, and there will be a special Air&Rail check-in desk at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

About “Fly Responsibly”

“Fly Responsibly” embodies KLM’s commitment to creating a sustainable future for air transport. It incorporates all of KLM’s current and future efforts to improve the sustainability of its activities. But true progress can only be achieved if the entire sector cooperates. With “Fly Responsibly”, KLM invites consumers to opt for CO2 compensation services, while companies are invited to compensate for business travel via the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme.

For more information on KLM and sustainability, please visit https://flyresponsibly.klm.com/nl_en#home

All information on “Fly Responsibly” know how, actions and events can be found on the online platform.