ReFuelEU Aviation – how MB Energy is boosting the synthetic kerosene market

European quotas for synthetic aviation fuels (eSAF) create investment and planning security and initial supply chains have been established. This has made it possible to carry out a pilot flight with five percent eSAF from Amsterdam to Hamburg, demonstrating the practical implementation of blending. In this interview, Adrian Herberger explains the significance of this flight for further scaling and why Hamburg is a good starting point.

REH: What significance do the quotas for synthetic kerosene (so-called eSAF) under ReFuelEU Aviation have for your company, and what challenges has production faced so far? What can a fuel distributor like MB Energy contribute to progress in the field of eSAF?

Adrian Herberger: "ReFuelEU Aviation is an important driving force for the ramp-up of eSAF because the quotas create investment and planning security. The greatest challenges currently lie in limited availability, high production costs and the development of scalable supply chains. MB Energy can actively support the market ramp-up as a link between production, logistics and customers."

REH: You recently blended eSAF for a KLM flight from Amsterdam to Hamburg and transported it to the airport – can you explain what blending means and go into more detail about MB Energy's role in the supply chain? What proportion of the total refuelling volume in the test flight was filled with eSAF?

Adrian Herberger: "Blending means the specification-compliant mixing of conventional fuels with a component of biogenic or renewable origin within the approved technical limits. MB Energy has taken on an important role in the supply chain – from coordination to blending and transport to the airport. The flight from Amsterdam to Hamburg was carried out with a fuel mixture that contained five percent synthetic kerosene. The quota prescribed by the EU is significantly lower at two percent."

REH: Does eSAF have specific operational technical advantages over fossil kerosene?

Adrian Herberger: "The key advantage of synthetic kerosene lies in its decarbonisation potential, not primarily in completely new operational properties. Crucially, eSAF can be integrated into existing infrastructure and fleets within the applicable specifications. This must be confirmed by the engine OEM, aircraft OEM and airline."

REH: What is special about the projects with an airline like KLM?

Adrian Herberger: "The passenger flight in cooperation with KLM and other partners such as Ineratec and Hamburg Airport demonstrates that the defossilisation of air traffic can only succeed in cooperation along the entire value chain. In the long term, synthetic kerosene can help to better buffer regulatory risks and rising CO₂ costs. Such projects are particularly valuable for testing the use of blends in regular operation."

REH: How does MB Energy position itself overall in the European renewable fuels market?

Adrian Herberger: "We want to actively support the transition from pilot projects to resilient supply chains. This concerns not only physical supply, but also commercial structuring and operational feasibility. Our goal is to work together to create the conditions for a scalable, reliable and marketable supply of synthetic aviation fuels in Europe. This applies to conventional and sustainable fuels alike."

REH: MB Energy is a Hamburg-based company. What role does Hamburg play for you as a location in connection with developments in aviation involving eSAF?

Adrian Herberger: "Hamburg is a particularly relevant location for us because it’s a melting pot of vital expertise from aviation, logistics, industry and the energy sector. Research, development, production and maintenance take place in one location. Hamburg is the third-largest aviation industry cluster in the world. This proximity to key players makes Hamburg a very suitable environment for advancing new solutions for the defossilisation of aviation. For MB Energy, Hamburg is not only a business location, but also a strategic environment for cooperation, innovation and practical implementation. The combination of port and logistics expertise, industrial base and aviation ecosystem creates good conditions for jointly developing topics such as renewable fuels, infrastructure and supply chains further."

Thank you very much for the interview!

About MB Energy

MB Energy positions itself in the European market as a reliable partner for the integration of future-oriented fuels into existing delivery and supply systems. Our strength lies particularly in bringing together trade expertise, infrastructure understanding, supply chain management and market access. Especially in an emerging market for future-oriented fuels, this bridging function is crucial.