BA owner to invest in firm planning to turn used tyres into jet fuel
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British Airways’ parent company has announced an investment in a company planning to convert used tyres into jet fuel. International Airlines Group (IAG) said its funding will enable Wastefront to begin construction on a £100 million factory producing sustainable aviation fuel (Saf) in Sunderland.
The plant is expected to begin operating in 2026 and will reach full capacity the following year. It is expected to process up to 10 million waste tyres annually. As global demand for sustainable aviation fuel grows, it's crucial to expand production. IAG said the UK generates about 50 million waste tyres each year, which are mostly sent to countries such as India where they are incinerated or buried in the ground.
Saf is seen as vital to reduce the aviation industry’s carbon emissions. The fuel is made from sources such as agricultural waste and used cooking oil, meaning its production involves using about 70% less carbon than for conventional jet fuel, which is a type of kerosene.
It can be blended with kerosene at up to 50% without the need for aircraft engine modifications. Saf is currently much more expensive to produce than standard jet fuel, but the price disparity is expected to narrow as Saf production increases. The UK introduced a mandate on January 1 which requires flights from UK airports to use a minimum amount of Saf.
By law, Saf must make up at least 2% of all jet fuel used in flights in 2025. The percentage will rise annually, reaching 10% in 2030 and 22% in 2040. The Department for Transport has described the requirement – which applies to aviation fuel suppliers – as “ambitious but achievable”.
