Research from NLR has evaluated five alternative aviation fuels as tightening global jet fuel supplies and rising demand push the industry to look beyond conventional Jet A and Jet A-1. The analysis addresses growing supply chain vulnerability by assessing a diversified fuel portfolio rather than focusing solely on Sustainable Aviation Fuel pathways. This marks a strategic shift where fuel security is becoming as critical as decarbonization for airline and military operators facing potential physical shortfalls.
Refinery economics lie at the heart of the supply squeeze. Jet fuel yields have declined as refiners optimize for lighter products and petrochemical feedstocks, while renewable diesel mandates compete for the same hydroprocessing capacity. Simultaneously, geopolitical disruptions and limited strategic reserves leave commercial aviation exposed to price spikes and allocation risks that SAF alone cannot resolve, given its current production scale and feedstock constraints.
The NLR study’s breadth — spanning synthetic, bio-based, and potentially hydrogen-derived options — reflects operational reality: no single substitute can meet volume, cost, and infrastructure compatibility requirements across global fleets. Certification timelines, airport hydrant system compatibility, and cold-flow properties vary widely among candidates, meaning airlines and original equipment manufacturers must plan for a multi-fuel transition rather than a binary switch.
Military interest adds urgency. Defense agencies require fuels that meet stringent thermal stability and energy density specifications while reducing logistical tail dependencies. A validated alternative fuel slate would enhance both commercial resilience and national security, creating a dual-use market signal that could accelerate investment in production pathways currently stalled at demonstration scale.
Read the full report at CleanTechnica.