KAUST And Arabian Petroleum Supply Company Collaborate On Sustainable Aviation Fuel Research Initiatives

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has entered into a material transfer agreement with the Arabian Petroleum Supply Company (Apsco). This partnership will see Apsco supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to KAUST for research on advanced low-emission fuels. The collaboration is timely, as the aviation industry faces increasing pressure to adopt cleaner fuel technologies.

Under the ReFuelEU Aviation regulations, airlines must use a 2% SAF blend by 2025, which will rise to 6% by 2030 and 70% by 2050. Current fuel technologies are insufficient to meet these targets. Global demand for SAF is projected to grow significantly, from 2 million metric tons in 2025 to 10 million in 2030 and reaching 75 million by 2040.

The research at KAUST will be led by Professors Mani Sarathy, Thibault Guiberti, Aamir Farooq, and Hong Im. Their work will concentrate on understanding the chemical properties, reaction pathways, and combustion behavior of the supplied fuels. This research aims to develop a comprehensive database that will aid in creating future SAF formulations with higher efficiency and lower environmental impact.

"This partnership allows us to combine world-class experimental facilities with advanced artificial intelligence to fundamentally reimagine how sustainable aviation fuels are designed," said Sarathy. "Using the new data generated, our models will help identify efficient, cleaner, and more scalable fuel formulations that can support the aviation sector’s ambitious climate goals."

The aviation industry worldwide is increasingly using predictive models for fuel behavior based on partial datasets. This approach reduces development cycles from years to months. The project aims not only at designing better fuels but also at addressing knowledge gaps that hinder SAF adoption globally. By understanding emissions behavior and assessing performance across various environments, the partnership seeks to enable faster decision-making regarding SAF deployment.

Apsco CEO Dr. Azzam Qari remarked, "This collaboration with KAUST marks an important milestone for Apsco and for the future of sustainable aviation in the Kingdom. As the global aviation sector moves rapidly toward lower-carbon solutions, investing in local research and national capabilities in SAF is no longer optional; it is strategic."

Strategic Importance for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's expanding aviation network and exploration of domestic SAF production opportunities make scientific testing of fuel properties within the Kingdom increasingly vital. Developing local research infrastructure accelerates certification processes, supports national sustainability goals, and strengthens Saudi Arabia's position in the future global aviation fuel market.

KAUST's existing research facilities provide a solid foundation for advancing domestic SAF research in line with the Saudi Aviation Strategy's objectives of promoting low-carbon energy technologies. This initiative is crucial as Saudi Arabia aims to enhance its role in sustainable aviation fuel development globally.

With inputs from SPA