The Finnish company Liquid Sun is starting a globally unique pilot project to produce renewable, sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) from biogenic carbon dioxide emissions.
Originating from the University of Tampere, Liquid Sun has developed an innovation based on low-temperature electrolysis technology (LTE) that refines carbon dioxide emissions and renewable electricity-based hydrogen into eSAF jet fuel.
For this pilot, Liquid Sun has secured Finnair, ABB, Fortum and Finavia as partners. In Finland, biogenic CO₂ emissions are generated, for example, by the forest industry and biogas plants.
The experimental e-fuel production unit, to be located in Espoo, will be fully operational in the autumn of 2025.
This is the first pre-commercial phase production pilot, with the aim of creating a functioning synthetic fuel production ecosystem and value chain in Finland.
In this joint project, companies will openly collaborate to develop eSAF production, carry out validations, and build capabilities for globally scalable processes that can secure domestic production of sustainable aviation fuel in the future.
Pasi Keinänen, CEO of Liquid Sun says: “Finland has the opportunity to become a leading producer in the emerging sustainable aviation fuel market over the next few years.
“To achieve this goal, it is critical to involve industrial partners across the eSAF value chain who share a common ambition and the will to accelerate the transition towards sustainable fuels.”
At the beginning of 2025, the EU’s aviation blending mandate entered into force, requiring the gradual increase of renewable fuel use in aviation up to 2050. From 2030 onwards, the mandate will also cover fully synthetic fuels produced from carbon dioxide.
By 2050, the blending mandate will rise to 70%, half of which must be eSAF. The mandate applies to airports with at least 800,000 passengers or 100,000 tons of cargo annually.
In Finland, this includes Helsinki Airport and Rovaniemi Airport.
Henri Hansson, SVP, Sustainability, Safety, Security and Technology at Finavia says: “As the owner of Finland’s airports, we at Finavia want to do everything we can across the aviation value chain to promote more sustainable air travel.
“This means bold climate collaboration with our stakeholders, as well as actively understanding and testing new technologies across all airport operations.”
Thanks to this regulatory framework, Finland now has a unique opportunity to become a leading producer of renewable aviation fuels.
The Finnish forest industry generates 20 million tons of biogenic CO₂ annually, with additional volumes coming from biogas plants.
These emission sources enable decentralized eSAF production, which increases energy security and balances the national electricity grid.
Riku Aho, head of energy transition at Finnair says: “Aviation is one of the hardest-to-abate sectors, and its energy transition will require new kinds of innovation and collaboration across the value chain.
“We want to help develop Finland’s potential in synthetic jet fuel production while also advancing aviation’s carbon neutrality goals.”
Satu Sipola, head of Fortum’s hydrogen business says: “Fortum’s mission is to help society achieve carbon neutrality and enable our customers to decarbonize their processes.
“For jet fuel production, we are pleased to provide renewable energy and, in the future, hydrogen – with our pilot hydrogen production plant currently under construction.”
Simo Säynevirta, Partner Ecosystem Lead for ABB’s H2 Springboard program says: “ABB’s H2 Springboard program aims to strengthen Finland’s hydrogen economy ecosystem and accelerate the scaling of hydrogen technology solutions.
“The Liquid Sun project is an excellent example of broad ecosystem collaboration to develop pioneering solutions.”
If successful, the project could provide Finland with a significant competitive edge, as there is a global technological race underway to develop cost-effective and scalable solutions.
Liquid Sun’s Pasi Keinänen says: “Finland’s conditions and opportunities in this race are highly favourable.
“We believe that rapid piloting and validation is the right approach when the goal is to establish an entirely new industry focused on synthetic fuels”.
