Elyse Energy, a leading French industrial SME specializing in the production of low-carbon molecules, and Bordeaux Airport are pleased to announce their strategic collaboration aimed at advancing the Sustainable Aviation Fuels sector in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. This partnership harnesses the collective expertise of both entities to facilitate the transition toward decarbonized air transportation, encompassing the entire process from production in Lacq to the essential refueling operations in Bordeaux.
In 2022, Bordeaux Airport became the first commercial airport in France with over one million passengers to permanently offer Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), at a 30% blend rate.
In June 2023, President Emmanuel Macron announced the establishment of a BioTJet plant in the Lacq basin (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) to produce kerosene from nuclear and renewable electricity, as well as biomass. Led by Elyse Energy and its partners Avril, Axens, IFPen and Bionext, the project should produce 75,000 tonnes a year of e-biofuel by 2028.
From these two entities, clear synergies have sparked a cooperative agreement to establish a regional Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. This agreement is driven by two primary objectives: the decarbonization of air transportation and bolstering the economic vitality of the region.
The collaboration seeks to elucidate the SAF value chain, spanning from producers to consumers, with the goal of defining an economic equilibrium aligning the requirements of airlines with Elyse Energy's production capabilities.
The roadmap of Elyse Energy and Bordeaux Airport will enable to:
- Study the volumes of Sustainable Aviation Fuel required for the needs of Bordeaux Airport;
- Establish purchase and distribution contracts for SAF in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region;
- Engage with all stakeholders of Bordeaux Airport on the regional supply and refueling with SAF in Bordeaux;
- Develop this regional sector by involving new players.
Simon Dreschel, Chairman of the Management Board of SA Aéroport de Bordeaux-Mérignac: "Bordeaux Airport aspires to be a catalyst and integrator of sustainable aviation fuels, contributing to the transformation of air transportation in France. Together, we will harness our combined expertise."
Pascal Pénicaud, Chairman of Elyse Energy: "At Elyse Energy, we are thrilled to collaborate with Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, which has showcased a firm and practical commitment to decarbonize its operations. With the BioTJet project underway at Elyse Energy, along with partners Avril, Axens, and IFPen in the Lacq region, it felt like a natural step to combine our efforts in jointly addressing the supply logistics of e-biokerosene to the Bordeaux-Mérignac airport hub.
