Wilson Bio-Chemical Shortlisted in Global Energy Awards for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Project
The UK’s ambition is to be at the forefront of SAF production and our technology partner, Wilson Bio-Chemical are taking part is a project funded by the Aerospace Unlocking Potential (Aerospace UP) program, to support the long-term goal of the aviation industry – to cut CO2 emissions in half by 2050. SAF is seen as a long-term decarbonization solution for the aviation sector. However, it currently accounts for only <0.1% of global jet usage, therefore the industry is keen to consider more radical and disruptive means of producing fuels.
What truly sets this project as a vanguard and differs from other sustainable fuel projects is that it will explore how bioethanol, produced from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), e.g., the contents of the average office bin, canteen food scraps and commercial skip can be used as a SAF feedstock. WBC have developed a decarbonization solution, working across the aerospace supply chain to map and build a circular economy framework for the project. Specifically, engaging with waste producers within the entire downstream supply chain, forging links with airports, airlines, air freight forwarders and lower-tier stakeholders. The project's unique process method and bio-chemical route to make bio-renewable jet fuel, diverting non-recyclable waste from landfills or incineration and converting it into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), provides a unique and genuine solution to environmental air transport issues.
The SAF project has impressed many judging panels throughout the UK and Wilson Bio-Chemical have been nominated in various categories. Wilson Bio-Chemical secured nominations in the Low Carbon Category at the Global Energy Institute2021 Awards, the Net-Zero Trailblazer of the Year category at the 2022 CN Specialist Awards, the Net Zero Category at the CEWM 2022 awards, and were also awarded with the runner up prize in the Sustainability and Energy category for Make UK Manufacturing Awards.
Tom Wilson, Managing Director at Wilson Bio-Chemical said:
“Years of work and planning have gone into making this renewable energy scheme a reality and I’m delighted that our collaborative efforts have once again been nominated for our fourth top sustainability award, what’s most rewarding is that all our hard work has been recognized by our peers, the engineers, environmentalists, designers and energy plant experts from across UK industry including aerospace, manufacturing, energy and now the construction sector."
“The aviation industry is committed to an industry-wide plan to reach net zero CO2 emissions including carbon-neutral growth and we’re delighted Wilson Bio-Chemical’s SAF project has been recognized for developing innovative decarbonization solutions to global aerospace challenges.”
Attracting over 120 entries across 29 countries from some of the world’s biggest organizations in industry, the awards recognize the very best projects in the global energy environment.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels: Waste to Wings
The airline industry emits near one billion tons of CO2 annually and consumes nearly 100 billion gallons of fossil fuels annually. Multiple technological approaches to sustainable aviation fuels are arising to divert dependence on current fossil fuels.
Our technology partner, Wilson Bio-Chemical has been recognized for its effort and approach to create sustainable fuels from municipal solid waste.