February 17, 2025

Turning Tyres into Jet Fuel: A Green Aviation Revolution

A groundbreaking £100 million plant in Sunderland will convert 10 million waste tyres annually into sustainable jet fuel, cutting carbon emissions by 70% compared to traditional aviation fuel.

SFA

Photo Source: iStock

A pioneering £100 million factory aiming to convert used tyres into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is set to be built in Sunderland. The project, led by Wastefront, will commence operations in 2026, with full capacity expected by the following year.

The facility plans to process up to 10 million waste tyres annually, a significant step in addressing the UK’s yearly generation of 50 million waste tyres, many of which are currently incinerated or buried overseas.

SAF production is said to emit 70% less carbon than traditional jet fuel, although its manufacturing costs remain high. Recent regulations require a minimum of 2% SAF usage for flights departing UK airports by 2025, gradually increasing to 22% by 2034.

Wastefront‘s CEO, Vianney Vales, highlighted the initiative as a way to transform “problematic waste streams into valuable resources.” This move aligns with the UK government’s push to bolster SAF production through financial incentives, reducing risks for producers and attracting more investments in eco-friendly aviation solutions.

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