The airline Swiss has announced a strategic partnership with the technology company Metafuels.
The collaboration, which is being carried out in close coordination with the Lufthansa Group, aims at the industrial scaling of synthetic aviation fuels (Sustainable Aviation Fuels, SAF). Metafuels has developed a technology called "aerobrew" that efficiently converts green methanol into aviation-grade fuel. This innovation allows the end product to be used directly in existing airport infrastructure and current engine types without technical modifications. Through this cooperation, Swiss secures early access to future production capacities to meet upcoming regulatory requirements.
The partnership stems from the legally mandated blending quotas that will come into effect in Switzerland and the European Union from 2030 onwards. Aviation industry experts point out that current global production volumes are far from sufficient to meet the politically set targets. Swiss CEO Jens Fehlinger emphasized the need to invest heavily in new processes now to ensure the long-term availability of these fuels and to reduce costs through industrial mass production. Metafuels is currently planning to operate a demonstration plant at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen and to establish its first commercial production facility in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The technological strength of the process developed by Metafuels lies in the flexibility of the raw materials used. Both bio-methanol and e-methanol can serve as the base, the latter being produced from renewable electricity, water, and carbon dioxide. This versatility is considered a crucial factor for the system's scalability. Saurabh Kapoor, CEO of Metafuels, described the agreement with the Lufthansa Group as a milestone that underscores the future role of synthetic fuels in global aviation. The partnership also highlights the commitment to further enhancing Switzerland's profile as a research location in the field of high technology.
In addition to its cooperation with Metafuels, the Lufthansa Group is pursuing a broader strategy for technological diversification. This includes various pilot projects and industry alliances worldwide to accelerate the market launch of alternative fuels. The focus on synthetic solutions is considered the most stable long-term option, as they do not compete with food production, unlike biogenic fuels. Despite technological advances, the challenge remains of significantly increasing production volumes in the coming years to keep operating costs predictable for airlines.