The decarbonisation of aviation and maritime transport is among the most ambitious objectives of the European Union’s climate policy. At the heart of this transition are Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and, more broadly, advanced biofuels produced from residues and second-generation feedstocks. These fuels represent the most effective short- and medium-term solution for reducing the environmental impact of heavy transport, where direct electrification is not yet a viable option.
Against this complex and rapidly evolving regulatory backdrop, the REFOLUTION project aims to integrate the production of advanced aviation and marine fuels directly into existing European refineries. But what exactly are the obligations imposed by the European regulatory framework, and how does REFOLUTION contribute to meeting them?
ReFuelEU Aviation
The cornerstone of the EU strategy for aviation is Regulation (EU) 2023/2405, better known as ReFuelEU Aviation, adopted on 18 October 2023 as part of the Fit for 55 package. As a regulation rather than a directive, its provisions are directly applicable and legally binding in all Member States for fuel suppliers, airport managing bodies and aircraft operators, without requiring national transposition.
The Regulation requires aviation fuel suppliers to ensure a minimum share of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), calculated on the basis of energy content and aggregated annually, increasing progressively until 2050 (Annex I). From 2030 onwards, an additional sub-mandate applies to synthetic aviation fuels (e-fuels or RFNBOs), which must be met on an annual basis.
| Year | Minimum SAF share | E-fuel sub-mandate | Scope | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2% | — | Union airports (>800,000 passengers or >100,000 tonnes of freight/year) | Start of the mandate |
| 2030 | 6% | 1.2% (2030–2031) → 2% (2032–2034) | Same as above | First RFNBO sub-mandate threshold |
| 2035 | 20% | 5% | Same as above | Significant increase |
| 2040 | 34% | 10% | Same as above | — |
| 2045 | 42% | 15% | Same as above | — |
| 2050 | 70% | 35% | Same as above | Final target |
These obligations apply to “Union airports” handling more than 800,000 passengers or 100,000 tonnes of freight annually and are complemented by an anti-tankering provision. Under this rule, aircraft operators must uplift at least 90% of the fuel required for departing flights at the airport concerned, discouraging the practice of carrying excess fuel simply to avoid refuelling at airports where fuel is more expensive.
A European Commission report published on 28 February 2025 confirmed that the sector is on track to meet the 2% SAF target for 2025 and is progressing towards the 6% target for 2030, supported by the flexibility mechanism that allows fuel suppliers to average blending obligations across EU airports until 2035.
RED III
Alongside ReFuelEU Aviation, Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III) establishes the overarching framework for renewable energy in the European Union and defines the sustainability requirements that every SAF must fulfil in order to count towards ReFuelEU Aviation targets.
The Directive introduces a combined 5.5% sub-target for advanced biofuels (Annex IX, Part A) and Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs) in the transport sector by 2030, while also providing double-counting mechanisms for fuels produced from these eligible feedstocks.
Annex IX, Part A lists the feedstocks eligible for the production of advanced biofuels. In addition to microalgae, these include straw, forestry residues, sewage sludge, and other agricultural and forestry residues—precisely the feedstocks on which the REFOLUTION technology is based.
Moreover, all SAF eligible under ReFuelEU Aviation must achieve a life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction of between 65% and 100% compared with conventional fossil kerosene.
EU ETS for Aviation
Alongside blending obligations, the inclusion of aviation in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) strengthens demand for SAF by increasing the cost of fossil fuel use.
The free emission allowances historically allocated to aircraft operators have been progressively phased out—reduced to 50% in 2025 and fully eliminated from 2026 onwards. At the same time, a dedicated reserve of 20 million allowances (covering the period 2024–2030) has been allocated to the FEETS mechanism, helping to bridge part of the price gap between Sustainable Aviation Fuel and conventional fossil kerosene.
On 17 July 2026, the European Commission also published proposal COM(2026) 616, introducing a limited extension of the EU ETS to extra-EU flights operating within 5,000 km of the geographical centre of the European Union, starting in 2029. The proposal is currently subject to negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council.
Conclusion
The European regulatory framework for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and advanced biofuels now provides the legal certainty needed by investors and industry, establishing clear targets through to 2050. However, its successful implementation will depend on the sector’s ability to bridge the gap between regulatory ambition and large-scale industrial production, overcoming the cost and technological barriers identified by the European Commission.
This is precisely where REFOLUTION makes its contribution. By demonstrating that advanced fuel production can be integrated into existing refineries rather than relying on dedicated greenfield facilities, the project offers a practical pathway to accelerate the achievement of the EU’s decarbonisation objectives while simultaneously reducing capital investment requirements and shortening the time needed for industrial deployment.
References
- REFOLUTION Project – Public Deliverables and Project Results.
- Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 October 2023 on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport (ReFuelEU Aviation).
- Directive (EU) 2023/2413 amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (Renewable Energy Directive – RED III).
- European Commission (2025). Mobilisation of Industrial Capacity Building for Advanced Biofuels.