NEWS AND BLOG

Producing eSAF requires large amounts of fossil-free energy. For Fortum, the development of eSAF is an example of how fossil-free electricity can do more than reduce emissions – it can create the foundations for entirely new industries.

Building a new energy industry takes more than a breakthrough technology. It takes a system designed from the start to be scaled.  ABB's Simo Säynevirta explains why standardisation will determine whether the SAF ecosystem moves from pilot to commercial scale.

Europe faces a decisive opportunity to transform its fuel systems in a way that not only reduces emissions but also strengthens energy security, industrial sovereignty, and long-term competitiveness. Locally produced synthetic aviation fuel, eSAF, sits at the heart of this transition, and the speed of its development determines who leads the global market of the future.

Achieving price parity with conventional SAF is a central objective in the development and scaling of the eSAF market and its value chains. Liquid Sun’s developments in Q1 2026 mark a significant step toward overcoming this barrier. With a new generation of electrolyzer stack design, major cost reductions in core components, and compatibility with existing energy infrastructure, we are accelerating the transition from pilot to mass production.

Liquid Sun’s journey toward eSAF production has taken firms steps. In the last quarter we’ve commissoned our eSAF pilot unit and produced firsts batches of crude for eSAF. This milestone strengthens both Finland’s and Liquid Sun’s position at the forefront of sustainable aviation fuel innovation. It paves the way for scaling up production and refining the crude into aviation fuel together with Liquid Sun’s partner network.

Aviation is shifting from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives, including synthetic jet fuel made from CO₂ and renewable electricity. From 2030, EU airports must begin using a fuel, known as eSAF. To make sure it truly reduces emissions, the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (EU RED) sets strict rules for how eSAF must be produced and verified.

We had the pleasure of welcoming MTV Uutiset, one of Finland’s leading national news broadcasters, to our eSAF production pilot facility in Espoo. Our team proudly demonstrated how biogenic CO₂, renewable electricity, and green hydrogen come together in our modular system to create synthetic crude oil.

Liquid Sun’s journey is accelerating. This quarter we’ve achieved important advances in eSAF production through strong industrial and aviation partnerships - concrete steps that move us closer to commercial reality. Each milestone strengthens our momentum and reinforces the confidence that clean aviation is within reach. Read on for the latest updates from Q3.

International Airlines Group (IAG), parent company of airlines including Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling, has selected Finnish technology company Liquid Sun to join its accelerator programme. Now in its ninth year, the program has become a recognized benchmark for airline innovation and investment potential.

The pilot aims to establish a functioning ecosystem and value chain for synthetic fuel production in Finland. The EU’s sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) blending mandate creates an opportunity for Finland to become a significant producer of synthetic fuels in the future.