PARIS, FRANCE — TotalEnergies is accelerating its commitment to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), announcing on June 16, 2025, a target to produce over 500,000 tons of SAF annually by 2028. This ambitious goal positions the company to supply more than 10% of its jet fuel volumes in Europe with SAF, exceeding the European Union’s ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, which mandates a 6% SAF blend by 2030.
The announcement underscores TotalEnergies’ strategic focus on decarbonizing aviation, a sector responsible for approximately 2.5% of global CO2 emissions. By scaling SAF production, the company aims to address the aviation industry’s challenge of reducing emissions while meeting growing fuel demand. SAF, derived from renewable feedstocks like used cooking oil, agricultural residues, and potentially e-fuels, can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
TotalEnergies’ plan builds on its existing SAF production capabilities, including its biorefineries in La Mède and Grandpuits, France. The company has also secured partnerships to ensure a robust supply chain. A notable agreement with Avril Group, announced in parallel, will leverage French agricultural feedstocks, such as vegetable oils, to produce SAF. This collaboration not only strengthens local supply chains but also aligns with EU policies favoring regionally sourced, sustainable feedstocks.
“We are committed to supporting the aviation sector in its energy transition,” said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies. “By targeting over 500,000 tons of SAF production by 2028, we are taking a leadership role in meeting Europe’s decarbonization goals and ensuring a sustainable future for air travel.”
“We are committed to supporting the aviation sector in its energy transition,” said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies.
The scale of TotalEnergies’ target is significant in the context of current SAF production. In 2024, global SAF output was approximately 1.5 million tons, representing less than 1% of total jet fuel demand. TotalEnergies’ planned 500,000 tons would account for a substantial portion of Europe’s SAF supply, potentially covering 15-20% of the region’s projected SAF needs by 2030, based on IATA estimates. However, challenges remain, including feedstock availability, production costs (SAF is 2-4 times more expensive than fossil jet fuel), and the need for supportive policies to bridge the price gap.
For stakeholders, TotalEnergies’ announcement signals confidence in SAF’s role as a cornerstone of aviation decarbonization. Airlines, facing increasing pressure from regulators and consumers, can view this as a step toward greater SAF availability. Investors may see opportunities in TotalEnergies’ integrated approach, combining upstream feedstock sourcing with downstream fuel distribution. Policymakers, meanwhile, can draw lessons from TotalEnergies’ reliance on regional partnerships to inform subsidy frameworks, such as the EU’s recent €6 per liter e-fuel subsidy.
Looking ahead, TotalEnergies’ success will hinge on execution. Expanding production capacity requires significant capital investment, estimated at €1-2 billion for new or retrofitted facilities. Securing sustainable feedstocks without competing with food supply chains is another hurdle, particularly as global demand for SAF grows. The company’s exploration of e-fuels—synthetic fuels made from CO2 and green hydrogen—could diversify its portfolio but remains cost-prohibitive without technological breakthroughs or scaled green hydrogen infrastructure.
For the SAF industry, TotalEnergies’ target is a bellwether. It highlights the momentum behind SAF as a viable decarbonization pathway while exposing the scale of investment and collaboration needed to meet net-zero goals by 2050. As the EU tightens mandates and other regions, like the U.S. and Asia, develop their SAF ecosystems, TotalEnergies’ progress will offer valuable insights into balancing ambition with practicality.
Source: Investing.com, “TotalEnergies Targets Over 500,000 Tons of SAF Production by 2028,” June 16, 2025.
