Boeing invests in Wagner Sustainable Fuels to boost Australian SAF production

Wagner Sustainable Fuels has announced that Boeing has become an early investor to support their sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility in Brisbane.

The Brisbane facility will utilize waste-to-SAF technology, transforming ethanol derived from waste-based feedstocks, like industrial byproducts, into SAF.

Boeing's investment in the Wagner refinery is part of the aviation company’s strategy to support the development of local SAF supply and expand global access to SAF in an attempt to decarbonize the aviation sector by 2050.

“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.

He added, “Accelerating local SAF supply enables Australia’s own climate goals and supports the global commercial aviation industry’s commitment of net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.”

This new investment builds upon the initial partnership between Boeing and Wagner announced in April.

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Compared to petroleum jet fuel, SAF reduces CO2 emissions by nearly 84%, demonstrating its efficiency in helping decarbonize the aviation sector.

“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.

He further said, “We have a target of using 10% SAF by 2030 and have invested in Queensland biofuel production through our $400 million Climate Fund.”

However, the SAF’s share in global jet fuel use is merely 0.1%, highlighting the reason behind Boeing’s push to make it more accessible.