On the occasion of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Aramco, TotalEnergies, and the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) announced the signing of a Joint Development and Cost Sharing Agreement (JDCSA). This collaboration aims to assess the feasibility of developing a sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) production unit in Saudi Arabia. The initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and Saudi Green Initiative, leveraging local circular economy resources such as used cooking oil and animal fats to create a cleaner alternative to traditional jet fuels.
The agreement was signed in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability as the global aviation sector seeks effective solutions to reduce carbon emissions.
Harnessing Expertise for Innovation
This SAF project will combine the expertise of the three entities, each bringing unique strengths to the collaboration. SIRC’s role as a leader in waste management and recycling complements the technological and industrial capabilities of Aramco and TotalEnergies.
Amin H. Nasser, President and CEO of Aramco, highlighted the importance of the initiative in addressing the aviation sector’s growing carbon footprint:
“With demand for air travel forecast to grow, addressing aviation emissions through lower-carbon alternatives like SAF is imperative. This collaboration with TotalEnergies and SIRC highlights our commitment to exploring innovative solutions that address transport emissions while supporting Saudi Arabia’s expanding tourism and aviation sectors. Establishing an SAF plant in the Kingdom has the potential to benefit both domestic and international airlines.”
Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, emphasized the company’s dedication to decarbonizing air transport:
“Sustainable aviation fuels are central to our energy transition strategy. Partnering with Aramco and SIRC allows us to leverage collective expertise to address the aviation industry’s carbon reduction needs. This project aligns perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Green Initiative goals, demonstrating the synergy between our multi-energy strategy and the Kingdom’s sustainable development objectives.”
Eng. Ziad Al-Sheha, CEO of SIRC, reiterated the company’s focus on supporting Saudi Arabia’s circular economy:
“SIRC is committed to increasing waste conversion rates into renewable resources. Partnering with Aramco and TotalEnergies on this SAF initiative marks a significant step toward advancing the Kingdom’s circular economy and achieving the sustainability objectives of Vision 2030. This project will energize our mission to create value from waste and support the transition to greener aviation solutions.”
Supporting the Aviation Industry’s Sustainability Goals
The global aviation industry faces mounting pressure to decarbonize as air travel demand continues to rise. Sustainable aviation fuels are emerging as a key solution, capable of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil-based jet fuels. SAF can be seamlessly integrated into existing aircraft engines and fueling infrastructure, making it an attractive option for airlines and airports worldwide.
By utilizing local residues like used cooking oil and animal fats, the proposed SAF production unit will not only reduce waste but also support Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing a circular economy. The project has the potential to position Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in renewable aviation fuels, fostering innovation and sustainability in a vital sector of the economy.
A Step Toward Vision 2030
This partnership underscores Saudi Arabia’s determination to achieve the ambitious goals outlined in Vision 2030, which include diversifying the economy, promoting sustainable development, and reducing environmental impacts. The project also aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative, which focuses on reducing emissions, increasing renewable energy adoption, and enhancing waste recycling capabilities.
Building on a Legacy of Collaboration
Aramco and TotalEnergies have a long-standing history of collaboration in the energy sector, including joint ventures like SATORP, one of the world’s most advanced integrated refining and petrochemical platforms. This new SAF initiative builds on that legacy, extending their partnership into the growing renewable energy space.
SIRC’s involvement brings an essential dimension to the project by providing expertise in waste collection and conversion. As Saudi Arabia’s leading player in sustainable waste management, SIRC’s participation ensures the initiative is rooted in the principles of the circular economy, creating a model for future collaborations in renewable resource utilization.
The SAF production unit represents a significant opportunity for Saudi Arabia to become a pioneer in the global effort to decarbonize aviation. By combining resources and expertise, Aramco, TotalEnergies, and SIRC are poised to create a groundbreaking facility that advances sustainable development while meeting the energy needs of an expanding aviation sector.Source