Embraer, Pratt & Whitney Partner on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel Flight Demonstration Program

Embraer signed a memorandum of understanding with Pratt & Whitney to collaborate on studies of 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on Tuesday.

Technical teams from the two companies will engage to define an integrated ground and flight test plan for 100% SAF in a GTF-powered Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.

The initiative reflects the companies’ commitment to supporting the aviation industry’s environmental goals, including the goal of reaching net zero CO2 emissions for air travel by 2050. Alongside efforts to continually improve aircraft and engine efficiency, SAFs have a critical role to play towards decarbonizing air travel, by reducing dependence on fossil-based fuels.

SAFs are manufactured from renewable feedstocks, such as used cooking oil or municipal solid waste, and may reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions by up to 80% relative to fossil-based jet fuel. Today, technical standards devised by ASTM International allow aircraft to operate with SAF at blends of up to 50% with kerosene. Collaboration among OEMs, fuel providers, and regulators, will enable new standards to certify operation with 100% SAF.

“We will strategically continue to support 100% SAF flight tests for key customers that expand SAF uptake, including partnering with Embraer to test the E-Jets E2 aircraft on 100% SAF as part of their 2050 net zero emissions target,” said Graham Webb, Chief Sustainability Officer at Pratt & Whitney.

The Embraer E195-E2, powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, offers more than 24% better fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions per seat than the previous generation E195. Pratt & Whitney powers a range of other Embraer aircraft, including the Phenom 300 and 100 series executive jets, and the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, which uses IAE V2500 engines.