Dutch aviation sector publishes SAF-roadmap supported by Deloitte

2025 marks the introduction of European blending mandates for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), with the blending mandates rising swiftly in the coming years. Additionally and beyond these mandates, the Dutch sector has set ambitious targets of blending 14% of SAF in 2030.

Because of the great starting position of the Dutch refining sector to produce this SAF, there are numerous production plans in the Netherlands. However, investment decisions and production capacity development have lagged, creating the challenge of bringing these plans from paper to reality.

To tackle these challenges, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has published the Sustainable Aviation Fuel roadmap, developed in collaboration with Deloitte and To70, and as outlined in the Dutch cabinet's programme. This roadmap, to which nearly the entire Dutch aviation sector has contributed, provides insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with SAF production and use, while also outlining the essential building blocks and initiatives that must be realised between 2025 and 2035 to achieve the set goals, ambitions, and European obligations. It features 18 initiatives divided into three workstreams collectively established by the sector to meet European obligations and objectives, including designated leaders for each workstream.

The roadmap illustrates why the Netherlands is a suitable location for SAF production, citing factors such as its advantageous geographical position, existing fuel infrastructure, local knowledge and expertise, and stable business climate. This roadmap is also the beginning of a process to make the Netherlands a SAF-hub for Europe and make meaningful progress in the aviation sector get to net-zero in the decades to come.