Airbus signs MOU to collaborate on ethanol-to-jet project in Japan using domestic woody-biomass feedstock

From left, Wood chips, pulp, fermentation-culture liquid and Morisora Project ethanol. (Photo: Sumitomo Corp.)

Airbus, Japan Airlines, Nippon Paper Industries, Sumitomo Corp. and Green Earth Institute have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the realization of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using ethanol derived from domestic wood.

In February 2023, Nippon Paper, Sumitomo and GEI launched the Morisora Project and, in February 2025, an agreement was signed to establish a joint venture to manufacture and sell ethanol made from wood biomass.

Airbus and Japan Airlines have now joined the project and will promote the use and expansion of domestic SAF by collaborating with businesses involved in the supply and demand of SAF.

“The five companies will work to enable a low-carbon society by reducing greenhouse-gas emissions during raw-material procurement and production, and by producing and selling domestic wood-based bioethanol that has a low lifecycle assessment and is compliant with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation,” Airbus stated.

According to the companies, this will be achieved through the developing society’s circular economy of cutting, using, planting and growing trees, regional revitalization including job creation, and the utilization of domestic SAF.

Japan Airlines aims to promote domestically produced SAF and has set a goal of replacing 10 percent of all onboard fuel with SAF by 2030.

By connecting the SAF suppliers with stakeholders involved in production, Japan Airlines will advance the construction of a supply chain.

Airbus will support the work to obtain the CORSIA certification for the domestic woody biomass of this project and contribute to the industry target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“The five companies will mutually leverage their strengths to produce and promote domestic SAF made from ethanol using domestic wood, seeking to create a decarbonized society and revitalize local communities through resource circulation and work towards a sustainable future,” Airbus stated.