This week, we sit down with Dani Charles, Veriflux, who talks through his fascinating journey from government tech to co-founding a pioneering company in the renewable feedstock industry. Dani reveals how Veriflux, since its inception in 2020, has grown to support over 350 companies worldwide by revolutionizing the tracking of used cooking oil and other feedstocks. His insights underscore the critical importance of accurate record-keeping for regulatory compliance and market differentiation, esp...
Jun 12, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 16
What if getting your tyres replaced on your car not only protected you on the road, but also helped save the planet? Currently 50 million end of life tyres are generated annually in the UK and 80% of them are exported to the EU to be burnt. What if a sustainable solution could help dispose of them but also not need for them to be exported overseas. This week Vianney Vales, Wastefront joins Oscar on The SAF Podcast as we uncover the revolutionary process of transforming end-of-life tires into sus...
Jun 05, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 15
This week Maurits van Tol, CEO Catalyst Technologies, Johnson Matthey joins Oscar on The SAF Podcast. Hot on the heels of the announcement that their FT Cans technology, developed with bp. will be used for DG Fuels' $4bn St John's Parish, Louisiana facility. Billed as being the largest Fischer Tropsch facility in the world with a capacity of 300,000 metric tonnes per year. We discuss the development of the CANS technology alongside bp, where it fits in in the process and the challenges of workin...
May 22, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 14
This week The SAF Podcast ventures to the land of salsa dancing, ethanol production, rainforests and the Andes as Oscar is delighted to be joined to Jose Fernandes, President - Latin America, Honeywell. Jose explains to us the different verticals Honeywell operates in, especially Honeywell UOP and their SAF technology licensing business, and how they are working to their target of reaching net zero operations by 2035. We discuss the projects they are currently involved in in the Latin America re...
May 15, 2024•57 min•Season 2Ep. 13
On this week's episode you get not one, but two Oscars as Oskar Meijerink, SkyNRG to discuss the transition from procurement to production with Oscar on The SAF Podcast. Oskar has been with SkyNRG since he left university where he wrote a dissertation on project finance for Sustainable Aviation Fuels. He has since been working on the project side, being kept busy with a HEFA project being developed in Delfzijl, Biomass Fischer-Tropsch facility in the Pacific northwest and their eSAF facility und...
May 02, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 12
This week Mihir Dange from XCF Global Capital and Wray Thorn from Focus Impact Partners join Oscar on The SAF Podcast to discuss their recent merger and expecting public offering later this year. Mihir's storied past, shaping programmes for yellow taxi medallion drivers to his latest venture into sustainable aviation fuel with XCF, intersects with Wray's fervent support for socially progressive companies through Focus Impact Partners. The discussion meanders from how Mihir and Wray first connect...
Apr 17, 2024•48 min•Season 2Ep. 11
This week on The SAF Podcast, Gaynor Hartnell and Tom Reid from the Renewable Transport Fuel Association (RTFA) discuss the UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel policy landscape with Oscar Henderson . They bring to the table a wealth of knowledge, leading us through the intricate world of renewable fuel revenue certainty mechanisms. With imminent announcement on the UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate, these two experts dissect how these policies are critical to fuel supply and market dynamics. W...
Apr 04, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 10
On this week's episode of The SAF Podcast, we are going to share a full discussion that occurred at SAF Investor London looking into "Finding Project Finance". Al Whyte, moderated a panel including; Wray Thorn, Focus Impact Partners, Andrew Eckhardt, Cranmore Partners, James Falzon, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Martin Forman, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Kevin Bogenreif, Summit Next Gen, all share their thoughts on the challenges of financing Sustainable Aviation ...
Mar 21, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 9
This week on The SAF Podcast, Oscar is delighted to be joined by Oliver Booth from Sightline Climate. The conversation reveals the layers of complexity in defining climate tech and exploring the nature of the climate capital stack, and how it relates to Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The episode begins with Oliver giving a great summary of the findings of their 2023 end of year report for private investments and what this means for SAF producers trying to find investment. As the discussion continues...
Mar 13, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In this episode the SAF Investor team of Alasdair Whyte, Fayaz Hussain and Oscar Henderson give you a quick round up and review of last week's first SAF Investor London conference. A diverse gathering of producers, investors, customers and many other companies integral to the industry's development gathered to discuss the major issues the industry faces in scaling production. We discuss our highlight moments from the conference, key takeaways that we have, our favourite discussions as well as wh...
Mar 06, 2024•23 min•Season 2Ep. 7
This episode Oscar sits down with Wendy Owens of Hexas Biomass. Wendy, a trailblazer with a captivating career journey, unveils the potential of Xanograss and the Xanofiber it creates which can be used for sustainable construction and as a biofuel feedstock. Her insights offer a flight path into how non-food, second-generation bioenergy crops could revolutionise the SAF supply chain and fulfill the soaring global energy demands. Wendy articulates the significance of maximising every part of the ...
Feb 21, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 6
With SAF being the only current solution to decarbonising air travel on existing aircraft, should the owners of around half the global fleet, the aircraft lessors, be putting more skin in the game? This is a large component to this week's episode where Al spoke to Natasha Mann, CEO, Future Energy Global. Natasha launched Future Energy Global in early 2024, but she has a long history in the aviation after experience with Fairchild Dornier and Airbus as well as her time in aircraft leasing at GECA...
Feb 15, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 5
This latest episode of The SAF Podcast Oscar is joined by Nicole Sautter, Director of Global Sustainability, American Express Global Business Travel (AMEX GBT). Corporate customers have a strong role to play in signalling ongoing demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. We discuss why AMEX GBT got involved in SAF. They have also been integral in setting up the blockchain backed book and claim system, Avelia, to help both grow the access to SAF and ensure it is sourced and claimed accurately. This h...
Feb 08, 2024•24 min•Season 2Ep. 4
This week Al sat down with Austin Willis, CEO, Willis Lease Finance Corporation to discuss their diversification into Sustainable Aviation Fuel production. The conversation unpacks the transformative journey of Willis Lease, from its roots leasing engines to a broad-spectrum powerhouse, and shines a spotlight on their pioneering endeavour to produce sustainable aviation fuel in Teesside, UK. With a blueprint for a greener horizon, Willis Lease is charting a course for 2026, aiming to power the s...
Jan 24, 2024•29 min•Season 2Ep. 3
On this episode of The SAF Podcast we shake the format up as Al is joined by Mukul Hariharan, United Airlines Ventures and Robert Birdsey, Green Front Energy. If you've ever pondered the financial gears that turn behind the scenes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) projects, look no further. Tackling the intricacies of renewable fuel supply chains and the hurdles of scaling up from small-scale to large-scale projects, our guests offer a pragmatic lens through which to view the renewable energy s...
Jan 17, 2024•53 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Welcome to 2024 and we are beginning the year by taking a look back at the big developments and news from 2023 with the SAF Investor team: Al Whyte, Oscar Henderson and Fayaz Hussain. We discuss our favourite news items from the past year like United Airline's appointment of Oscar the Grouch as Chief Trash Officer, the policy announcement from Europe with ReFuelEU and the transatlantic flights by Virgin Atlantic and Gulfstream. We also look back at some of our disappointments form the last year ...
Jan 10, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 1
The latest episode of The SAF Podcast is this week with, Jim Lockheed, Investment Principal, JetBlue Ventures. Jim gives us an insider's perspective on the intersection of aerospace, entrepreneurship, and venture capital. From his time in the Air Force to his stint at Boeing and his foray into the world of drones, Jim's unique journey is one you wouldn't want to miss. Plus, he shares his optimism about the future of drones and VTOLs, and reveals how JetBlue Ventures scouts for groundbreaking tec...
Dec 13, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 20
On this week's episode of The SAF Podcast we chat with James Hygate, CEO of Firefly Green Fuels. James unveils the fascinating world of hydrothermal liquefaction technology and how it can transform sewage into bio crude and biochar, opening the gateway to a new era of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. As we navigate through the conversation, James sheds light on his background in Biofuels, including making his own refinery in his house when he was younger, Firefly's business model that...
Dec 05, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 19
On the latest episode of The SAF Podcast, our editor Fayaz chats with Daniel Bloch, a SAF specialist from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Daniel is here to connect the dots between the crucial role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in achieving these targets and how his role at IATA aligns with the ambitious net-zero 2050 aspirations. In a world where the climate crisis needs immediate attention, understanding the regulatory landscape and the progress towards net-zero target...
Nov 17, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Who knew that a career in retail could lead you to combatting climate change? We're joined by Andreea Moyes, Global Head of Sustainability at Air bp, who shares how she's now spearheading the charge towards sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Listen in as she shares the industry's perspective on Co-Processing, eFuels, power to liquid technology, why Air bp has not signed any offtake agreements yet and how important strategic partnerships and policy clarity are in scaling up SAF. Are we ready for a ...
Nov 13, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 17
This week we pivot back to the airline and customer side of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with Jonathan Pardoe, Fuel Specialist with Star Alliance, the oldest global airline alliance starting back in 1997. Jonathan has a wealth of experience and knowledge about the fuelling challenges for airlines. Topics discussed include: 00.48 - Background and how SAF adoption affects airline operations 06.25 - What can airlines do to mitigate the supply and demand imbalance to meet 2030 emissions targe...
Nov 08, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 16
The SAF Podcast had the pleasure of speaking to one of the 'Grandfathers' of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel industry, the president and CEO of World Energy, Gene Gebolys. World Energy was the world's first producer of SAF and has been leading the industry in the renewable fuel space for 25 years. It has set the ambitious challenge of producing 1 billion gallons of SAF by 2050. Al and Gene have a fantastic discussion from the origins of World Energy to the importance of the book and claim system t...
Nov 02, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 15
The SAF Podcast turns back to producers this week with Steven Fance , CEO and CTO, Cultiv8 Hemp Solutions, who has a great conversation with SAF Investor editor, Fayaz Hussain. Hemp is already being used across various industries from textile, construction and the automotive industry and have a great potential to play a key role in global decarbonisation efforts. Culti8 Hemp Solutions are using it as a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) feedstock and for Direct Air Capture (DAC) as Hemp bricks. The...
Oct 25, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In our latest episode of The SAF Podcast Al sits down with Jonathon Counsell, group head of sustainability, International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus. Jonathon is one of the longest serving airline sustainability heads globally and he shares his thoughts on the role airlines play in signalling demand to investors and how he is firm in the belief that everything (pathways and feedstocks) is needed to meet SAF demand. Some of the topi...
Oct 18, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 13
This weeks The SAF Podcast episode sees Al sit down with Pablo Fexer, Managing Director, 360 Jet Fuel. Pablo has a really interesting background, first encountering Sustainable Aviation Fuel during his time at OMV. Now at 360 Jet Fuel he advises business jet operators and airlines on SAF, including a couple of airline equity investments. Pablo discusses many critical issues including: 1.20 - Background to 360 Jet Fuel 5.50 - What do offtake agreements look like? 11.20 - Will there be a cost of c...
Oct 06, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Sarah Ellerby, CEO, Nova Pangaea Technologies (NPT) is the latest guest to sit down with Al on The SAF Podcast. Nova Pangaea Technologies are a UK based company looking whose patented REFNOVA technology can create fantastic added value to almost all waste plant biomass, including the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Currently, Nova Pangaea Technologies is currently most notably working on project Speedbird, in the UK, with British Airways and Alcohol-to-Jet refinery technology comp...
Oct 05, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In our latest episode of the SAF Podcast Alasdair has a brilliant discussion with John Hannon, COO, Vertimass. Vertimass are a US based biofuel company that produces Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from ethanol using their Vertimass Catalyst Technology. This process does not require external Hydrogen and can produce SAF with low capital costs and operating costs. They also can co-locate their facilities with existing ethanol production facilities, which can further reduce production costs. John ...
Sep 20, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 10
The latest episode of the The SAF Podcast had Jean Paquin, CEO, SAF+ have a passionate discussion with Alasdair about the potential of e-fuels for sustainable aviation. SAF+ is a Montreal based Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) producer using the Power-to-Liquid process to synthesise SAF from CO2 and hydrogen. SAF+ is part of the The Skies the Limit Challenge started by the Canadian government to set up a pilot plant the demonstrate the production of SAF. Montreal is a great place for an e-SAF fac...
Sep 06, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In the latest episode of the SAF Podcast Alasdair sits down with Jimmy Samartzis, CEO, LanzaJet. LanzaJet was spun out of LanzaTech in 2020 and are the industry leaders when it comes to Alcohol-to-Jet Sustainable Aviation Fuel production pathway. With their Freedom Pines facility in Georgia scheduled for commercial production later in 2023 and other projects in New Zealand, Australia, India and the UK (Project Speedbird and Project Dragon) currently being explored. Jimmy discusses their Freedom ...
Aug 23, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Matteo Mirolo, Aviation Policy Manager, Transport & Environment was the most recent guest on The SAF Podcast. T&E are a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Brussels that stretches across Europe, working to make all transport across the continent more sustainable. Matteo's main focus is on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), mainly, e-fuels and mitigating the non-CO2 effects of flying. In this podcast Matteo discusses the potential issues of the darker underbelly of the SAF industry...
Aug 16, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 7
