Airbus & OMV: How Biomass Can Make Aviation Sustainable
Whilst there are many promising technologies that could decarbonise aviation, one of the few currently available is SAF.
These fuels can often be used in current aircraft and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel.
SAF is often made from biomass, such as used cooking oil or wood mill waste.
Airbus has signed a memorandum of understanding with OMV to advance sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
OMV and Airbus aim to explore joint solutions to broaden voluntary access to SAF for a variety of customer groups, aimed at stimulating new demand.
"The transition to sustainable aviation requires strong cross-industry collaboration,” says Julie Kitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer & Communications at Airbus.
“Joining forces with OMV, a leading European energy partner, is another important step on our journey towards the production and deployment of sustainable aviation fuels at scale.
“This partnership fits perfectly with Airbus' ambition to enable a global net-zero aviation sector and we look forward to working with OMV to deliver on shared objectives.”
Airbus’ partnership with OMV
Along with stimulating new SAF demand, the companies hope to accelerate the testing, evaluation and approval of new feedstocks and new production pathways to make the fuel available faster.
Both partners have also committed to raising awareness and understanding of SAF.
Martijn van Koten, Member of the Executive Board and Executive Vice President Fuels and Feedstock at OMV, says: “Transformative partnerships across the aviation value chain are crucial for building a robust SAF industry and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable future.
“Our partnership with Airbus underscores OMV’s dedication to innovation, sustainability and excellence.
“We are proud to lead on this journey, driving progress and creating a lasting positive impact on both the aviation industry and the environment.
"SAF is a cornerstone of OMV’s Strategy 2030 and our path to climate neutrality.”
The Minnesota SAF Hub
This partnership is not Airbus’ first venture into SAF.
The Minnesota SAF Hub, launched in 2023, aims to make SAF cost competitive through a demand consortium that includes Deloitte, Bank of America, Ecolab and Delta.
At CES 2025, Airbus announced with Delta that it will join the Minnesota SAF Hub and Demand Consortium with a multi-year commitment to purchase SAF.
Amelia DeLuca, Chief Sustainability Officer at Delta, says: “I am so excited for this work with Airbus — we know a sustainable future of flight is rooted in innovation and this partnership is going to take Delta’s journey to net zero to new heights.”
The consortium will purchase the first several million gallons of SAF each year starting in the second half of 2025 with the aims of scaling production, driving down costs and securing multi-year demand to spur growth in the market.
How Airbus uses biomass
Biomass is not just used in SAF – this versatile feedstock can power machinery and even provide heating.
“Airbus achieved a 42% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 CO₂ emissions in 2023 compared to 2015 – an achievement made possible by projects like our newly opened biomass boiler,” Julie explains.
“The biomass boiler now provides 86% of the thermal energy needs for our internal heating network, benefiting 21,000 employees across four Toulouse sites.
“In line with our Science Based Targets initiative-validated objectives, we remain committed to reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 63% by 2030 compared to 2015. Projects like this one are critical steps toward achieving this goal.”
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