Amadeus invests in Caphenia to Support sustainable Air Travel
Caphenia, a future producer of synthesis gas, is the feedstock of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and has managed to attract the attention of Amadeus, a major Spanish IT provider for the global travel and tourism industry. And now Amadeus has acquired a minority stake in Caphenia.
This investment allows Amadeus to peek into the challenges of the SAF sector and explore the role it can play in this key element of the journey to net zero by 2050.
The decision is part of a wider commitment by Amadeus to support the industry on its journey toward sustainable travel. Especially since an innovative approach to producing SAF in a more affordable and scalable way was developed by the German-based company.
The innovative approach by Caphenia is to produce synthesis gas from a mixture of biogas, CO2, water and electricity and is currently in an advanced stage of development of renewable fuels, with up to a 92 per cent reduction of CO2 emissions.
The company has applied for protected patents for its Power-and-Biogas-to-Liquid (PBtL) process.
Mark Misselhorn, the chief executive officer of Caphenia, said, “Our process is affordable – using one-sixth of the electricity needed for alternative SAF production methods – and scalable.
“We have the ambition to offer large-scale production by 2028, aiming to fill the gap between anticipated SAF demand and current supply.”
He continued by saying “For airlines, sustainable aviation fuel is the practical long-term alternative to conventional aviation fuel.
“The technology of cost-effective, producible SAF means the greatest potential for CO2 savings and an important element that, in combination with others, may help in meeting net-zero targets.”
According to the IATA Net Zero Emission initiative, 65% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions required for the aviation industry can be reduced by SAF. Further 13% can be possible by electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft, 19% by carbon offset and capture and 3% by operational efficiencies.
It is estimated that an annual production capacity of 449 billion litres globally is required to reach a 65% reduction in GHG emissions. To understand it better, in 2021, SAF production was at 125 million litres only.
Caphenia has plans to commence SAF production next year to produce ten million litres by 2027, planning to reach 100 million litres by 2030 and over one billion litres before 2035.
Suzanna Chiu, the head of ventures at Amadeus, said, “At Amadeus, we are committed to supporting the move to sustainable travel.
“We monitor industry trends and developments to determine the most effective ways we can fulfil this ambition and are delighted to act today with the investment in an innovative SAF company.
“The transaction represents a step forward in our sustainability strategy, taking the perspective from a different part of the value chain in the industry.
“As the industry moves toward its goal of reaching net zero by 2050, we are taking concrete steps to accelerate the process.”