SABA Selects Infinium's Project Atlas for eSAF Certificates
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SABA selected Infinium's Project Atlas to supply eSAF certificates, with American Airlines as the end-user for fuel targeting a 95% carbon reduction.
Key Takeaways
- •Selected by SABA to supply eSAF certificates from its Project Atlas facility.
- •Targets 100,000 metric tons per annum of eSAF production by 2029.
- •Reduces lifecycle carbon intensity by up to 95% compared to conventional jet fuel.
- •Utilizes a book-and-claim model with American Airlines as the end-use airline.
The Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA) has selected Infinium's Project Atlas as the winner of its next-generation sustainable fuel procurement program. The project is set to supply Electro Sustainable Aviation Fuel (eSAF) certificates from a facility with a planned production capacity of 100,000 metric tons per annum (MTPA). American Airlines has been designated as the end-use carrier for the fuel.
This agreement marks a significant step in commercializing power-to-liquid (PtL) fuels, which are produced using renewable electricity to convert captured carbon dioxide and green hydrogen into liquid hydrocarbons. According to Infinium, the eSAF from Project Atlas will achieve a 95% reduction in lifecycle carbon intensity compared to conventional jet fuel. The selection validates the growing corporate demand for high-integrity decarbonization solutions and provides a crucial financial backbone for the capital-intensive project.
Robert Schuetzle, CEO of Infinium, highlighted the importance of corporate partnerships in getting new facilities off the ground. He stated that voluntary corporate demand acts as a "catalytic spark" to help new SAF production facilities secure financing, noting the SABA offtake agreement is "pivotal for Project Atlas."
The Book-and-Claim Model
The procurement operates on a book-and-claim system, a model gaining traction for scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) investment. Corporate members of the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel Certificates (SAFc) to address their Scope 3 emissions from business travel and freight. This mechanism allows companies to invest in decarbonization and claim the environmental benefits without handling the physical fuel. The funding covers the "green premium"—the cost difference between SAF and fossil-based jet fuel—while an airline partner physically receives and uses the fuel. SABA, managed by the Center for Green Market Activation, has previously channeled approximately $200 million into the SAF market through similar procurements.
eSAF vs. HEFA: A Technical Comparison
While most SAF currently in use is produced from hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) using waste oils and fats, the industry is increasingly focused on PtL pathways for long-term scalability. Unlike HEFA, which relies on feedstocks with supply constraints, eSAF's inputs—renewable electricity, water for hydrogen, and captured CO2—are virtually limitless.
| Metric | eSAF (Power-to-Liquid) | HEFA SAF |
|---|---|---|
| Feedstock | CO2 + Green Hydrogen | Waste Oils/Fats |
| Scalability | Virtually limitless | Constrained by waste supply |
| Carbon Intensity Reduction | Up to 95% | Typically 70-80% |
Industry and Regulatory Impact
The selection of Project Atlas has several implications for the aviation market. For American Airlines, it secures a significant future supply of ultra-low carbon fuel, helping it advance its climate targets. For corporate buyers, it provides access to high-integrity certificates from a next-generation fuel source.
The project is also strategically significant for the European market. The eSAF produced will be compliant with the European Union's classification for Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO). This is critical for airlines seeking to comply with the ReFuelEU Aviation Mandate, which will require a specific sub-mandate for synthetic fuels to be blended starting in 2030, rising to 20% of all SAF used by 2035. This agreement helps build the necessary supply chain ahead of that regulatory deadline.
The deal builds on past successes. Infinium's earlier Project Pathfinder in Texas served as a technological predecessor, while SABA's multi-year procurements from 2023-2024 demonstrated the viability of aggregating corporate demand.
What Comes Next
Following this selection, the next step involves finalizing the commercial terms. SABA and Infinium are expected to sign binding offtake agreements by late 2026. According to the project timeline provided by Infinium, the first deliveries of eSAF from Project Atlas are scheduled to begin by 2029. This timeline aligns with the ramp-up needed to meet the EU's 2030 synthetic fuel mandate.
Why This Matters
This agreement is more than a fuel deal; it is a crucial proof-of-concept for funding the next generation of sustainable aviation fuels. By using aggregated corporate demand to underwrite a large-scale eSAF project, SABA and Infinium are creating a scalable model to overcome the high capital costs of PtL technology. This development signals a market shift toward more scalable, albeit currently more expensive, SAF pathways necessary for the long-term decarbonization of air travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Infinium's Project Atlas and why was it selected by SABA?
- Project Atlas is a new facility by Infinium designed to produce 100,000 metric tons of eSAF annually. It was selected by the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA) for its next-generation procurement because its fuel targets a 95% carbon intensity reduction using scalable power-to-liquid technology.
- How does the book-and-claim model for SAF certificates work in this deal?
- Corporate members of SABA purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel Certificates (SAFc) to fund the 'green premium' and claim reductions in their business travel emissions. This allows an airline partner, in this case American Airlines, to physically use the sustainable fuel, decoupling the environmental benefits from the fuel's logistics.
- When will Project Atlas start producing eSAF?
- According to Infinium, initial production of electro-sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) from Project Atlas is expected to begin by 2029.
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Written by Hardik Vishwakarma
Co-Founder & Aviation News Editor leading initiatives that improve trust and visibility across the global aviation industry. Covers airlines, airports, safety, and emerging technology.
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