Finnish technology company Liquid Sun has launched a sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) production pilot with ABB, Finnair, Fortum, and Finavia.
The goal of the pilot is to create a functioning ecosystem and value chain for synthetic fuel production in Finland. The EU’s renewable fuel blending mandate for aviation opens up a significant opportunity for Finland to become a leading producer of synthetic fuels in the future.
The Finnish company Liquid Sun is starting a globally unique pilot project to produce renewable eSAF from biogenic carbon dioxide emissions. Originating from the University of Tampere, Liquid Sun has developed an innovation based on low-temperature electrolysis technology (LTE) that refines carbon dioxide emissions and renewable electricity-based hydrogen into eSAF jet fuel. For this pilot, Liquid Sun has secured Finnair, ABB, Fortum, and Finavia as partners. In Finland, biogenic CO2 emissions are generated, for example, by the forest industry and biogas plants.
The experimental e-fuel production unit, to be located in Espoo, will be fully operational in the autumn of 2025. This is the first pre-commercial phase production pilot, with the aim of creating a functioning synthetic fuel production ecosystem and value chain in Finland. In this joint project, companies will openly collaborate to develop eSAF production, carry out validations, and build capabilities for globally scalable processes that can secure domestic production of sustainable aviation fuel in the future.
“Finland has the opportunity to become a leading producer in the emerging eSAF market over the next few years. To achieve this goal, it is critical to involve industrial partners across the eSAF value chain who share a common ambition and the will to accelerate the transition towards sustainable fuels,” commented Pasi Keinänen, CEO of Liquid Sun.
At the beginning of 2025, the EU’s aviation blending mandate entered into force, requiring the gradual increase of renewable fuel use in aviation up to 2050. From 2030 onwards, the mandate will also cover fully synthetic fuels produced from carbon dioxide. By 2050, the blending mandate will rise to 70%, half of which must be eSAF. The mandate applies to airports with at least 800 000 passengers or 100 000 tpy of cargo. In Finland, this includes Helsinki Airport and Rovaniemi Airport.
Due to this regulatory framework, Finland now has a unique opportunity to become a leading producer of renewable aviation fuels. The Finnish forest industry generates 20 million tpy of biogenic CO2, with additional volumes coming from biogas plants. These emission sources enable decentralised eSAF production, which increases energy security and balances the national electricity grid.
“Aviation is one of the hardest-to-abate sectors, and its energy transition will require new kinds of innovation and collaboration across the value chain. We want to help develop Finland’s potential in synthetic jet fuel production while also advancing aviation’s carbon neutrality goals,” said Riku Aho, Head of Energy Transition at Finnair.
“Fortum’s mission is to help society achieve carbon neutrality and enable our customers to decarbonise their processes. For jet fuel production, we are pleased to provide renewable energy and, in the future, hydrogen – with our pilot hydrogen production plant currently under construction,” added Satu Sipola, Head of Fortum’s Hydrogen Business.
“ABB’s H2 Springboard programme aims to strengthen Finland’s hydrogen economy ecosystem and accelerate the scaling of hydrogen technology solutions. The Liquid Sun project is an excellent example of broad ecosystem collaboration to develop pioneering solutions,” stated Simo Säynevirta, Partner Ecosystem Lead for ABB’s H2 Springboard programme.
If successful, the project could provide Finland with a significant competitive edge, as there is a global technological race underway to develop cost-effective and scalable solutions.