Ready to take-off: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) will play an important role in future sustainability plans designed to reduce CO2 emissions worldwide. The EU has already recognised this and include the increased use of SAF in its plans for a climate-neutral Europe by 2050.
Several countries and companies are already using this sustainable alternative to fossil kerosene-based fuel and Haltermann Carless will be a part of this future for more environmental and climate protection. As part of our corporate strategy to develop a more sustainable portfolio of products, Haltermann Carless aspires to manufacture Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at the Speyer production site in Germany from 2026 – and aspires to be the first commercial manufacturer of this product in Germany.
"Haltermann Carless aspires to be the first commercial manufacturer of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Germany."
Dr. Harald Dialer, Chief Commercial Officer
Our SAF aspiration

5 facts about SAF
1. Alternative to fossil fuel
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is the generic term for all aviation fuels that are produced without the use of fossil raw materials such as petroleum and also meet sustainability criteria, for example to avoid competition with food production or the destruction of ecosystems through additional agricultural land use.
2. "Drop-in" aviation fuel
Liquid fuels will continue to be indispensable for aviation in the long term. SAF is a "drop-in" fuel, which means that it is a fully interchangeable substitute for fossil fuels in aircraft and does not require any changes to airport infrastructure or aircraft technology. SAF can currently be blended up to a 50/50 ratio with fossil fuels (depending on the type of SAF).
3. Different routes for SAF production
There are several certified pathways to produce SAF for use in commercial aviation. These technologies can convert a variety of feedstocks such as agricultural waste, used cooking oil, biogenic carbon and green hydrogen (power-to-liquid) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
We as HCS Group are focusing on ATJ (Alcohol-to-Jet) technology and thus feedstocks for advanced biofuels from waste and residual materials.
4. Significant CO2 reduction
As SAF is based on renewable feedstocks, carbon is continuously recycled instead of producing additional CO2 through fossil fuels - thus closing the carbon cycle. The new generation of SAF is mainly produced from biogenic residues, for example waste-based biomass, and can save up to 85% CO2 compared to conventional fuels. In the long term, SAF can enable almost CO2-neutral air travel.
5. SAF is the decisive lever for Net Zero
SAF is by far the biggest lever for reducing CO2 emissions in air transport (65% of the contribution from SAF alone). The implementation of the EU and UK climate targets and mandates for the blending of SAF require substantial production volumes and thus significant investments in new manufacturing capacities:
- 5 million tonnes of SAF in 2030
- 40 million tonnes of SAF in 2050