Liquid Sun develops sustainable aviation fuel from Finnish pulp mill emissions

In the future, aircraft may be fueled with a synthetic renewable aviation fuel derived from carbon dioxide emitted by Finnish pulp mills. This innovative technology is being developed by a company emerging from the University of Tampere, aiming to produce electro-fuel at a lower cost compared to existing methods.

The process requires green hydrogen and a carbon source. Liquid Sun is investigating how to transform the carbon dioxide emissions from the forestry industry into carbon monoxide on an industrial scale, which is cheaper than current technologies. Currently, the company is producing carbon monoxide at a mini-factory in Hervanta. CEO Pasi Keinänen stated that their goal is to analyze data and refine the process for future pilots at larger facilities.

One major hurdle is the economic viability. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) suggests increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) as a means to reduce aviation emissions. According to Juha Lehtonen, a research professor at VTT, the biggest obstacle to the widespread adoption of electro-fuel is its high production cost, estimated at over 3,000 euros per ton, significantly higher than current fossil aviation fuel costs.

Next year, the EU will enact legislation mandating that two percent of aviation fuel must be SAF, a requirement that will increase in stages. Current SAFs are made from renewable oil waste, such as used cooking oils; however, the supply of waste oils is insufficient to meet future demands. Companies are thus encouraged to explore alternative methods for producing SAF profitably, including the use of captured carbon dioxide and green hydrogen.

Looking ahead, Liquid Sun plans to construct a pilot facility in Kemijärvi, aiming to operationalize by 2026, with the potential for a commercial SAF plant within three years.