Vueling promotes research and development of SAF from slurry

Collaboration will allow progress of SAF produced with slurry, to be used in aircraft

Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling, part of the IAG group, has joined forces with the company Seduco-Wenergy to advance the research and development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced from agricultural waste such as slurry.

Seduco-Wenergy has already produced batches of SAF using slurry from the abundant waste generated by pig farms in Spain, one of Europe’s largest producers of this type of waste. 

For the preparation of these sustainable fuels Guayule is also used, an energy crop that grows in desert areas and is used for soil enrichment.

The partnership promotes the development of this type of SAF and its official certification so that it can be used in current aircraft, therefore contributing to the decarbonisation of air transport.

SAF is a fuel that is also produced from other waste (agricultural or forestry remains, urban waste or recycled oils, among others) or even CO2 captured from the air and mixed with green hydrogen. 

This alternative fuel reduces emissions by more than 80% compared to conventional fuel and its great advantage is that it can be used in current aircraft without any modification.

According to a study carried out by PwC, the development of the SAF industry in Spain could attract investments of more than 22,000 million euros, generate 270,000 direct and indirect jobs and contribute 56,000 million to GDP by 2050. 

The same report highlights the importance of having the right incentives to develop the SAF industry in Spain and accelerate the ecological transition of the aviation sector.

As part of its wider committment, IAG, the group to which Vueling belongs, has become the first airline group in Europe to commit to supplying 10% sustainable aviation fuel by 2030, almost double the European Union requirement (6%).