A brief overview of SAF regulation in Europe – ReFuelEU Aviation

Published in 2025

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a key component in defossilizing the aviation sector and achieving net-zero emissions. Governments and international organizations have established various regulations and standards to accelerate SAF adoption. This blog article gives a brief overview on SAF regulations in the European Union (EU), focusing on the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation.

ReFuelEU Aviation regulation

In 2023, the EU formally adopted the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation to accelerate the use of SAF as the single most effective way to reduce carbon emissions from aviation. As part of the “Fit for 55” package, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 55% by 2030, the regulation introduces mandatory SAF blending quotas for all EU member states from 2025. Switzerland plans to adopt this regulation from the EU, with mandatory blending quotas expected to take effect in 2026.
Specifically, the ReFuelEU Aviation states:

  • Aviation fuel suppliers must supply minimum shares of SAF according to mandatory quotas.
  • EU airports with more than 800’000 passengers or more than 100’000 tons of freight traffic per year must make the refueling of SAF possible.
  • Aircraft operators departing from EU airports are obliged to refuel at least 90% of their annual required aviation fuel within the EU to prevent fuel tankering – the practice of loading more fuel in an aircraft than needed in third countries.

SAF blending quotas and demand projections

According to the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, aviation fuel suppliers must supply minimum shares of SAF according to mandatory blending quotas as depicted in the following figure:

As the figure shows, the increase in mandated SAF volumes is especially significant in the first ten years. Translating the blending quotas into SAF volumes using market insights and expectations of how the overall jet fuel consumption will develop, Europe will need the following SAF volumes to comply with the regulation:

  • 1.2 million tons per year in 2025
  • 4.0 million tons per year in 2030
  • 13.6 million tons per year in 2035
  • 23.1 million tons per year in 2040
  • 27.7 million tons per year in 2045
  • 43.4 million tons per year in 2050

A comparison of these numbers with the announced production capacities reveals a clear gap, primarily due to global production limitations of HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids). HEFA, a common SAF production method today, faces feedstock (primarily vegetable oils and animal fats) constraints. The gap between rising demand and limited HEFA supply creates a major market opportunity for next-generation SAF producers, such as Synhelion.

Sub-quota for Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin

In addition to the overall SAF blending quotas stated in the ReFuelEu Aviation regulation, the regulation also introduces a sub-quota for Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs), such as SAF derived from renewable energy. This sub-quota will start building up in 2030. The sub-quota for RFNBOs opens another promising opportunity for innovative SAF producers, including Synhelion. RFNBOs are expected to command higher market prices due to their unique sustainability profile. The following figure shows the sub-quota for RFNBOs:

Translating the RFNBO sub-quotas into SAF volumes, Europe will need the following RFNBO volumes to comply with the regulation:

  • 48’000 tons per year in 2030
  • 68’000 tons per year in 2035
  • 2.31 million tons per year in 2040
  • 4.155 million tons per year in 2045
  • 15.19 million tons per year in 2050

Ensuring compliance and supporting SAF development

The successful implementation of ReFuelEU Aviation requires the collaboration of all parties in the supply chain, in particular aviation fuel suppliers, EU airports, and airlines.

In case these parties do not manage to provide and consume the required percentages of SAF in a given year, the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation foresees financial penalties for missed volumes and requires providers and consumers to compensate missing volumes in the following year.

While ReFuelEU Aviation sets minimum fines for the different obliged parties, EU member states and Switzerland must set penalties for non-fulfilment and are responsible for enforcing them.

The ReFuelEU Aviation is also accompanied by additional measures to support SAF development and deployment. These include activities for capacity building in Europe and globally, initiatives to enhance the cooperation in the SAF value chain and the development of SAF projects, financing to de-risk SAF production at all stages of technology maturity, direct financial support for the uptake of SAF by reducing the price gap between SAF and fossil kerosene, accelerating and facilitating the qualification of new SAF pathways, and increased transparency through the EU taxonomy and the environmental labelling schemes.

Looking ahead

The ReFuelEU Aviation regulation represents a significant step toward a more sustainable future for aviation. However, its success hinges on the collaboration of all stakeholders, including governments, fuel suppliers, airlines, and airports. By addressing current challenges and leveraging opportunities, the aviation industry can achieve its ambitious sustainability goals.

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