- Aramco, TotalEnergies, and SIRC signed an agreement to explore creating a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant in Saudi Arabia using local waste materials like cooking oil and animal fats.
- The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Green Initiative, aiming to decarbonise the aviation sector and reduce emissions.
- The collaboration supports Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism and aviation sectors, with SAF seen as a key solution for reducing aviation’s carbon footprint.
Aramco, TotalEnergies, and the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) signed a Joint Development and Cost-Sharing Agreement (JDCSA) to explore creating a sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) production facility in Saudi Arabia. The companies finalised the agreement during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit, with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud present.
The partnership aims to convert organic waste, including used cooking oil and animal fats, into SAF. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, which focus on sustainability and environmental protection.
Amin Nasser, President and CEO of Aramco, emphasised the urgency of tackling rising air travel emissions by offering low-carbon fuel alternatives. “Global air travel continues to rise, so addressing aviation emissions through sustainable fuels is crucial,” Nasser said. “Collaboration between major energy companies like Aramco and TotalEnergies plays a key role in developing solutions that reduce the aviation sector’s carbon footprint.”
Nasser also pointed to the potential benefits of Saudi Arabia’s expanding tourism and aviation sectors. “As the Kingdom’s aviation and tourism industries grow, establishing a sustainable aviation fuel facility could provide significant value to domestic and international airlines. This partnership reflects our commitment to finding innovative ways to reduce emissions,” he added.
Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, expressed excitement for the project, which supports the company’s goals of aiding the energy transition in oil and gas-producing nations. “Partnering with Aramco and SIRC in this venture marks a major step toward decarbonising air transport,” Pouyanné said. “Sustainable aviation fuel is at the heart of our strategy to help the aviation sector cut emissions. This project aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 while contributing to the global move towards cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions.”
Eng. Ziad Al-Sheha, CEO of SIRC, outlined how the initiative advances Saudi Arabia’s circular economy goals, which focus on turning waste into renewable resources. “This agreement marks a major milestone in our efforts to increase waste conversion and create renewable resources,” Al-Sheha said. “By partnering with Aramco and TotalEnergies, we are pushing forward our mission to support Saudi Arabia’s sustainability objectives.”
The companies intend to establish a SAF plant in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step toward the Kingdom’s broader sustainability goals. Saudi Arabia continues to make strides in reducing its reliance on traditional fossil fuels and promoting greener alternatives. The aviation industry, responsible for a significant share of global carbon emissions, faces pressure to reduce its environmental impact. SAF offers one of the most promising solutions.
Aramco, TotalEnergies, and SIRC reaffirm their shared commitment to sustainability and innovation by collaborating. They aim to address aviation emissions while supporting Saudi Arabia’s shift towards a more sustainable future.