Boeing Boosts Aussie Aviation with Sustainable Fuel Investment

Cleaner Skies Ahead

Boeing became an early investor in Wagner Sustainable Fuels to boost the growth of its sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) production facility in Brisbane, expand the supply of SAF from Australia, and lower aviation’s carbon emissions.

As part of its plan to encourage the growth of regional SAF supply and increase worldwide access to SAF—still the most potent weapon for decarbonizing aviation by 2050—Boeing has invested in the Wagner refinery. As opposed to petroleum jet fuel, SAF can save CO2 emissions by up to 84%, which presently accounts for 0.1% of jet fuel usage worldwide.

“We’re proud to invest in this project because it will make a real difference in developing a SAF industry in Australia,” said Kimberly Camrass, Boeing’s sustainability lead for Australia and New Zealand. “Accelerating local SAF supply enables Australia’s climate goals and supports the global commercial aviation industry’s commitment of net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.”

“SAF facilities such as Wagner’s new Brisbane site also strengthen Australia’s fuel security, since the country currently imports 90% of its liquid fuel, including jet fuel, and the demand is expected to increase by 75% towards 2050,” Camrass added.  

“Our partnership with Boeing to advance the Wagner SAF refinery in Brisbane is a commitment to grow the SAF industry in Australia proactively,” said Matt Doyle, Wagner Sustainable Fuels Chief Executive Officer. “The Queensland Government and Boeing investment will underpin Australia’s first, fully integrated SAF production facility.”

“It will create local jobs, contribute to fuel security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aviation,” he said.

Expanding upon their initial collaboration, which was revealed in April, Boeing and Wagner will now fund an engineering study to build a refinery for SAF. Waste-to-SAF technology, which turns ethanol made from waste-based feedstocks, including industrial waste, into SAF, will be used at the Brisbane site.

“This project allows Australia to continue to stand out as a leader in SAF, now leveraging the solution we co-created with LanzaTech to convert waste carbon into sustainable fuels,” said Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet. “The combination of our platform with the front-end of LanzaTech’s carbon recycling technology makes it possible to create SAF supply in Australia using local waste streams, further supporting the country’s energy security and protecting its natural environment.”

“Domestic SAF production will be critical to decarbonising the aviation industry and Australia meeting its emissions reduction targets,” said Andrew Parker, Chief Sustainability Officer at Qantas. “We have a target of using 10% SAF by 2030 and have invested in Queensland biofuel production through our $400 million Climate Fund.”

According to CSIRO and Boeing’s Sustainable Fuels Roadmap for 2023, Australian SAF production supports regional employment and sovereign fuel security while enabling local fuel production capability to fulfill commercial demand.