The Eclif3 study, the first of its kind, found that using both commercial aircraft engines on 100% sustainable aviation fuel or SAF significantly reduces soot particles and contrail ice crystals.

The Eclif3 study, involving Airbus, Rolls-Royce, DLR, and Neste, measured the impact of 100% SAF use on emissions from Airbus A350 engines and DLR chase planes.

Methodology and findings:

Researchers used DLR’s global climate model simulations to assess the impact of contrails on the alteration in Earth’s atmospheric energy balance, or radiative forcing.
• The use of 100% SAF in Eclif3 could significantly decrease the impact of contrails by at least 26% when compared to the Jet A-1 reference fuel.

• SAF can significantly reduce aviation’s short-term climate impact by reducing non-CO2 effects and greenhouse gas emissions.

• The consumption of unblended SAF fuel was reduced by 56% compared to a reference Jet A-1 fuel. Thus, potentially reducing the climate-warming effect of condensation trails or contrails.

What do the stakeholders say?

“A crucial component of aviation’s transition to net-zero CO2 will be the use of SAF at high blend ratios. These tests not only demonstrated that our Trent XWB-84 engine can operate entirely on solar power, but they also demonstrated how more value could be extracted from solar power by mitigating non-CO2 climate effects,” said Alan Newby, Director, Research & Technology, Rolls-Royce.

“SAF is largely acknowledged as an essential first step toward reducing the aviation industry’s short- and long-term climate impact,” said Alexander Kueper, Vice President, Renewable Aviation Business, Neste.

Mark Bentall, Head, the Research & Technology Program, Airbus, said, “This is a very encouraging result, based on science, which shows just how crucial sustainable aviation fuels are for decarbonizing air transport.”