Trump Makes The Case For SAF Stronger Than Ever Before

US President Donald Trump has recently intensified the argument for accelerating the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), particularly amid a looming jet fuel shortage in Europe. The continent faces a critical supply crunch, with just about six weeks of conventional kerosene jet fuel remaining due to disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions, notably the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, has highlighted the severity of the situation, warning that flight cancellations could soon become inevitable if oil supplies continue to be blocked through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the urgency, Europe’s SAF infrastructure remains underdeveloped and unable to fill the gap left by dwindling fossil fuel supplies. Current SAF production relies heavily on hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) derived from limited feedstocks such as used cooking oil and animal fats, much of which is imported. More advanced SAF technologies, including cellulosic biofuels and synthetic e-kerosene produced from green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide, remain in the long-term development phase and are not expected to contribute significantly in the near future. In the United States, there is growing interest in e-kerosene production, particularly in regions like Texas, where abundant renewable energy resources could support green hydrogen generation. However, the sector faces setbacks following the curtailment of a $7 billion hydrogen expansion programme initiated under the previous administration. This has prompted some innovators, such as Chicago-based startup Syntholene, to pursue projects abroad. Syntholene recently announced plans to construct a synthetic fuel demonstration facility in Iceland, utilising a dormant geothermal power plant to lower development costs and risks. Syntholene’s technology centres on a high-temperature thermal coupling system designed to significantly reduce the cost of green hydrogen production by using steam at around 150°C to improve efficiency. Their approach aims to bring hydrogen production costs down from the current $4-6 per kilogram to below $2, with a long-term target of under $1 per kilogram. By integrating solid oxide electrolyser cells (SOEC) with thermal energy, the company expects to achieve electrical-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies of 85-90%, compared to 60-70% for conventional methods, potentially making synthetic SAF more economically viable. If successful, Syntholene’s project could mark a pivotal step towards scalable, cost-effective e-fuels that help reduce aviation’s carbon footprint and mitigate fuel supply vulnerabilities. However, widespread adoption of such technologies will require overcoming significant technical and commercial hurdles, as well as supportive policy frameworks. Meanwhile, the immediate jet fuel shortage in Europe underscores the pressing need for accelerated SAF development and deployment to ensure the resilience of global aviation.