The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group has taken a significant step toward sustainable aviation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aether Fuels (Aether), a climate technology firm. This agreement outlines the potential procurement of neat sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Aether, which plans to establish production facilities in the United States of America and South East Asia.
Under the MoU, the SIA Group intends to source neat SAF for five years once Aether’s production plants commence commercial operations, with the possibility of a five-year extension. The SAF will be blended with conventional jet fuel before being distributed to selected airports serving Singapore Airlines and its subsidiary, Scoot. This collaboration is aligned with SIA Group’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and fostering a more sustainable future for air travel.
Aether’s innovative approach to SAF production leverages waste carbon feedstock, utilizing its proprietary Aether AuroraTM technology. This advanced method is designed to enhance production efficiency, reduce plant capital costs, and yield higher volumes of SAF compared to existing processes. By implementing this technology, Aether aims to provide a viable and scalable solution to meet the growing demand for sustainable aviation fuel.
Ms Lee Wen Fen, Chief Sustainability Officer, Singapore Airlines, emphasized the importance of this partnership in the company’s decarbonization strategy, stating: “This partnership marks another step in the SIA Group’s journey towards our long-term decarbonisation goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. By collaborating with like-minded ecosystem partners such as Aether, we aim to accelerate and scale up the adoption of SAF in our flight operations, laying the groundwork for more sustainable air travel.”
Aether, which was incubated and funded in 2022 by Xora, a deep tech venture firm backed by Temasek, has since expanded its presence in South East Asia and established a research and development hub in Chicago. The company’s forthcoming commercial-scale SAF production projects in the United States and South East Asia are expected to achieve Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) certification. These projects will contribute significantly to the aviation sector’s sustainability goals by ensuring a minimum greenhouse gas reduction of 75%.
Mr Conor Madigan, Chief Executive Officer of Aether Fuels, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating: “We are proud to join the SIA Group’s ecosystem of SAF technology innovators. Their decarbonisation goals are catalysing ingenuity throughout the supply chain and galvanising companies like Aether to develop production solutions that pair breakthrough technologies with next-generation feedstock strategies. The collaboration will deepen our understanding of the end-user customer priorities and of the SAF market, particularly in South East Asia. These advantages will further inform our project development programmes and accelerate our path to commercialisation.”
Xora, which played a key role in Aether’s inception, continues to support its growth and innovation. Mr Phil Inagaki, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Xora, and Board Chair of Aether Fuels, highlighted the significance of the SIA Group’s commitment to sustainability, stating: “It is encouraging to see the SIA Group committing to meaningful sustainability goals and taking concrete steps to advance the adoption of SAF. Singapore has built a supportive environment for deep tech innovation, empowering companies like Aether to amplify the impact of transformative solutions to global challenges. Its Aurora™ breakthrough technology enables the production of SAF with the lowest green premium and most flexible, scalable feedstock. This collaboration with the SIA Group reflects a shared focus and commitment, making it a natural fit that will undoubtedly accelerate SAF innovation and adoption.”
As the aviation industry continues to seek sustainable solutions, partnerships such as this between the SIA Group and Aether play a crucial role in driving meaningful progress. By embracing cutting-edge technology and fostering strategic collaborations, the SIA Group is reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable aviation. The integration of SAF into its operations marks a critical milestone in reducing carbon emissions and advancing the broader industry’s transition to a greener future.
