TotalEnergies increases SAF production at Grandpuits biorefinery

LONDON (ICIS)–TotalEnergies is ramping up production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its biorefinery in Grandpuits, France ahead of the Paris Air Show.

Total is more than doubling annual SAF production capacity at the site to 285,000 tonnes/year compared to the initial capacity announced in 2020.

Total entered into an agreement with organic feedstock specialist SARIA last year to develop SAF production at the Grandpuits biorefinery.

All jet fuel supplied at EU airports will be required to have a minimum SAF blend of 2% from 2025, as per EU mandates. This will increase to 6% by 2030, 20% by 2035 and 34% by 2040, before attempting to hit 70% by 2050.

“The zero-crude platform at Grandpuits will be a major French site for the production of sustainable aviation fuel, which is the most effective solution for immediately cutting CO2 emissions from air transport. These new projects further strengthen the site’s conversion, toward sustainability, decarbonization and the circular economy,” said Bernard Pinatel, President, Refining & Chemicals at TotalEnergies.

The company is also investing in a biomethane production unit at the biorefinery, which will have an annual capacity of 80 GWh/year.

Organic waste from the biorefinery will serve as the primary feedstock for the biomethane unit.

The biomethane unit will contribute to Total’s aim of making Grandpuits a zero-crude platform through utilising several low carbon technologies. The French oil and gas giant also aims to solidify its position as a leading biogas producer in France with its biomethane investment.

Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are aviation-specific biofuels produced from waste and residues from circular economy-based feedstocks such as animal fats, used cooking oils, etc. to reduce CO2 emissions from air transport. Synthetic fuels, also known as e-fuels, can be another form of SAF.

Thumbnail picture: Paris Charles de Gaulle airport (Source: Mickael Chavet/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)