Avril, Total Energies examine development of intermediate crops in France for SAF production

Photo: Avril

Total Energies and Avril, an industrial and financial leader the French vegetable oil and protein sector, have signed an agreement to jointly examine the development of intermediate crops in France for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce the aviation industry’s CO2 emissions.

The deal reflects the European Union’s big ambitions for SAF, with a mandatory 2 percent blend in 2025 and a target of 70 percent by 2050.

Intermediate crops are planted between main crops on the same plot.

Therefore, they require no additional land and do not compete with the production of food or animal feed, while providing farmers with an additional income stream.

Under EU regulations, they qualify for SAF production.

These crops also lead to the production of vegetable protein, contributing to French and European sovereignty in animal feed.

They also have a number of agronomic benefits such as preventing soil erosion by improving its structure, reducing water loss and helping preserve biodiversity. 

Under the terms of the agreement, Total Energies and Avril will jointly assess the entirety of the value chain, from plant-variety selection to SAF production, in order to establish viable activity in France.

Avril will supply vegetable oils from the intermediate crops to Total Energies, which will turn them into SAF in its French biorefineries and in its French and European refineries through coprocessing.

“The deal with Avril marks a significant step towards the development of a French industry producing vegetable oil for SAF production,” said Valérie Goff, Total Energies’ senior vice president of renewable fuels and chemicals. “It’s an opportunity for the farming sector to create value and for the industry to secure the feedstock needed to produce SAF. Sustainable aviation fuel helps our aviation customers with the energy transition, and SAF development lies at the heart of our company’s transition strategy.”

Emmanuel Manichon, Avril’s general director of processing and renewable energies, added, “French production of SAF from intermediate oil crops is taking concrete shape. The deal with Total Energies is a decisive step towards the construction of an effective, competitive local model supporting the decarbonization of the aviation industry. It is an innovation that rallies the farming sector and industry to a common goal by leveraging Avril’s long years of expertise in agricultural development. Alongside industrial partners like Total Energies, Avril stands ready to deliver on this ambition that creates value for all parties, from farm to factory.”