St1 has many years of experience as a fossil jet fuel producer and aviation fuel supplier in Norway through joint venture AFSN. AFSN is owned by St1 and Shell Exploration and Production Holdings B.V. in 50/50 shares. 2024 remarked St1’s first year as a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producer. After many years of preparation, the long wait was finally rewarded in early 2024. 

The first neat SAF cargoes were delivered to customers just one month after the inauguration celebrations in spring 2024. During the start- up year, 20 kt of neat SAF was produced at the Gothenburg Biorefinery – equivalent to 10% of its total renewable fuel production design capacity. In addition to SAF, the refinery’s renewable fuel output also includes HVO diesel, bionaphtha and bioLPG. 

Thanks to Jet A1 production at the refinery, St1 is capable of supplying customers with blended SAF, which can be directly used to fuel aircrafts. One of the first customers for the Gothenburg-origin SAF blends was the Norwegian Armed Forces in October 2024. Together with AFSN and Norwegian, St1 supplied SAF to Ålesund Airport to cover part of the defence sector’s business trips. This example highlights St1’s unique SAF value chain, featuring local feedstocks, production, and end-use. Such value chain would not be possible without committed partners and customers dedicated to the energy transition. 

Ready for take-off 

In 2024, European demand for SAF was mostly driven by voluntary end-users and a few national mandates. With the upcoming ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, the share of SAF is expected to reach at least 2% at EU airports starting in 2025. 

To meet this growing demand and better serve both existing and new customers, St1 is developing alternative ways to supply Gothenburg-origin SAF to various markets. In 2024, one of the key targets was the development of a Book & Claim sales model for SAF. In this scheme, sustainability attributes are detached from the physical fuel and sold separately. A significant milestone was achieved in December 2024 when St1 received the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) certification for its Book & Claim sales. This model will enhance St1’s SAF portfolio by enabling sales to voluntary customers who may not always have access to the physical product. Book & Claim SAF sales are scheduled to begin in early 2025. 

To further expand its SAF portfolio, St1 has been reconstructing the truck loading facility at the Skarvik Terminal to allow for blended SAF distribution by trucks to local customers. The construction project is set to be finished in early 2025, in time to welcome the ReFuelEU Aviation mandate. 

To the next destination 

While St1 continues to develop its existing SAF production, sales, and aviation business, efforts have already been directed towards the development of Renewable Fuels of Non- Biological Origin (RFNBO). A key component of this initiative is the Biorefinery Östrand project, which St1 is developing in a joint venture with SCA. This facility will produce both SAF and RNFBO SAF, utilising forest industry residues and renewable power. This production is expected to meet the increasing demand for RFNBO SAF by the mid-2030s. In addition to Biorefinery Östrand, St1 is actively involved in several new developments within the RFNBO space. This includes cooperations with project developers, tech companies, research institutes, and other partners to explore future opportunities.