Boeing, Clear Sky and Firefly to collaborate on SAFs
July 23, 2024
Amidst continued conversations about sustainable aviation fuels, Boeing, Clear Sky, and Firefly announced a partnership to finance and support the conversion of sewage biofuels into SAFs. Clear Sky, an investment company dedicated to sustainable aviation, will be leading the project fundraising, while Firefly pioneers their sewage processing method. Boeing will provide technical abilities and resources, help with fuel certification, and share their global relations and experience in the field of sustainable aviation fuels.
Firefly’s process is similar to traditional oil and gas, using hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) to turn sewage into crude oil and biochar. HTL employs a combination of high pressure and heat at lower energy levels and is ideal for processing wet wastes. The crude oil will be processed into SAFs, while the leftover biochar can be used for carbon sequestration in construction or as a soil improver in agriculture. Firefly’s SAF emits 92% fewer greenhouse gases over its lifetime compared to fossil fuels.
“At Boeing, we’re proud to play a convening role, bringing these quadrants together for a sustainable solution,” said Brian Moran, Boeing’s chief sustainability officer. “No one entity, no one company, will be able to achieve SAFs production and transition on their own,” added Krishnan Narayanan of Clear Sky.
“You can’t turn the taps off on this one,” chuckled James Hygate, founder of Firefly. “Everyone, everywhere can now contribute to sustainable aviation.”
