Firefly fuels Wizz Air with next-generation SAF

Firefly began its R&D journey into SAF when it was founded in 2013 by James Hygate OBE and Paul Hilditch. In 2021, it successfully secured a £2m research grant through the Green Fuels, Green Skies competition funded by the Department for Transport, accelerating the development of its SAF technology.

Challenges

Firefly aims to build a First-of-a-Kind SAF production facility in the UK to be operational by 2029. Like all FOAK SAF facilities, scaling up production and at pace is very challenging. As this pathway utilises a readily available feedstock, there is real potential to scale the production globally. Securing new partnerships around the world will therefore be critical to the success of that objective.

As this production route is a new fuel pathway (Sewage Biosolids to Jet, SBtJ), obtaining fuel qualification through ASTM is a critical milestone to commercialisation and can take several months or years to approve a new fuel.

Solution

Innovate UK Business Connect was instrumental in supporting the early development of Firefly Green Fuels, facilitating access to key services and expertise. This included working with Firefly to secure their first offtake agreement with Wizz Air, Europe’s fastest growing airline, and will be the first European airline to fly on UK-produced SAF.

As Firefly Green Fuels is developing a new fuel pathway, Innovate UK Business Connect recognised the need for Firefly to engage with the right experts to start the fuel testing and approval process. They connected Firefly to the UK SAF Clearing House, a Department for Transport funded facility to support companies access jet fuel testing. Firefly is now making positive progress on the fuel testing.

Innovate UK Business Connect has been instrumental in helping me to scale my business at pace. I’m incredibly grateful for the support and guidance they have given to Firefly Green Fuels.

– James Hygate OBE, CEO,Firefly Green Fuels

Impact enabled by Innovate UK Business Connect

• Major investment secured
  Firefly received a £5m investment with Wizz Air.
• Long-term market demand
  A 525,000-tonne offtake agreement with Wizz Air ensures stable demand over 15 years.
• Environmental impact
  The Wizz Air partnership is set to reduce aviation emissions by 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂.
• Regulatory milestones
  Support from UK SAF Clearing House has enabled Firefly to progress towards ASTM qualification to enable commercial adoption.
• Global expansion
  Firefly is on track to establish its first-of-a-kind SAF production facility by 2029 and is rapidly scaling up to multiple locations around the world.

Our collaboration with Firefly Green Fuels is an important step in supporting the development of SAF at scale. Firefly’s fuel offers a promising alternative to fossil-based jet fuels from renewable resource. By investing £5 million in Firefly and securing a 525,000-tonne offtake agreement over 15 years, we are helping to advance this technology and create a stable demand for SAF. If successfully scaled, this fuel pathway could contribute to lowering our emissions, with an estimated reduction of 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂.

– Yvonne Moynihan, Chief Corporate & ESG Officer, Wizz Air

With continuing support from Innovate UK Business Connect’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Innovation Programme, Firefly Green Fuels is accelerating its growth, securing industry-leading partnerships and driving the transition to a more sustainable aviation sector. Our SAF Innovation Programme is here to connect, demystify, and engage to help you navigate the sector.