Kuehne+Nagel, Lufthansa Cargo agree on exclusive partnership to promote synthetic SAF

Kuehne+Nagel and Lufthansa executives Oct. 4 at the grand opening of the Atmosfair plant in Germany (Photo: Kuehne+Nagel)

Kuehne+Nagel and Lufthansa Cargo have agreed on an exclusive partnership for the promotion and use of synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Atmosfair based in Berlin, Germany. The logistics-service providers have jointly committed to supporting the world’s first production site for synthetic SAF in Werlte, Emsland, Germany, by purchasing 25,000 liters (6,604 gallons) per year for the next five years. Synthetic fuels have not yet been produced industrially, but are available only in laboratory quantities. The fuel is capable of bringing the CO2 footprint of aircraft engines to zero.

“Already now, Kuehne+Nagel customers can avoid carbon emissions of their shipments globally with our bio SAF solutions and I am delighted to see that time has come for synthetic SAF as the long‐term solution for aviation,” said Yngve Ruud, a member of the management board of Kuehne+Nagel who is responsible for air logistics. “By securing the first power-to-liquid fuel production together with Lufthansa Cargo, we are sending a strong message of commitment and collaboration, inviting our industry colleagues and customers to join us in creating the low-carbon economy of the future already today.”

Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo, said, “We clearly see the key to a sustainable reduction of our emissions in flight operations in the research and use of synthetic, sustainable aviation fuels. The fact that we are now pioneering power-to-liquid technology together with Kuehne+Nagel makes us particularly proud and shows once again that we are actively tackling our climate protection challenges.”

SAF is an essential pillar on the way to CO2-neutral flying. There are two main types of sustainable aviation fuel: bio SAF and synthetic SAF.

Until now, Kuehne+Nagel and Lufthansa Cargo have used bio SAF to reduce the carbon footprint of air freight. While bio SAF is produced from biomass (waste products and feedstocks with low carbon content), the primary energy source and feedstocks for the production of synthetic SAF are renewable electricity, water, and CO2.