New organization forms to unite SAF community toward consistent fuel quality

A new organization, the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Institute Inc., has launched to unite disparate stakeholders in the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry and supply chain to learn about and maintain fuel-quality standards across the industry.

“We envision SAFII to be a hub for leaders throughout the SAF community—from industry leaders to technical experts to policymakers,” said Cindy Tomei, president of SAFII. “SAFII’s vision is to meet the world’s SAF climate goals while becoming the go-to resource for legislative awareness, industry insights, research and technology, and ensuring fuel quality through consistent testing methods for the aviation industry. Currently, we are the only organization able to consistently teach ASTM standards for aviation-fuel quality.”

Tomei said the new organization will serve several purposes.

“SAFII will be a communications hub where members can share information, innovations and resources,” Tomei said. “It will also be a go-to training resource for technical expertise, webinars and events. Finally, we will offer networking roundtable events where professionals can meet, dialogue and engage with each other to foster greater awareness and collaboration across the SAF supply chain.”

Because of SAF’s far-reaching impact, membership within SAFII is open to a diverse group of professionals engaged in all areas of SAF development and distribution.

Individuals and organizations engaged in different categories of SAF influence are invited to join SAFII.

Market demand, oversight

• Government agencies and enforcement.

• Industry economists.

• Policymakers.

• Market analysts.

• Investors.

Feedstock growth, sourcing

• Farmers/agriculture.

• Corn/biomass.

SAF fuel R&D

• Research and development.

• Independent labs.

• Test engineers.

• Chemical companies.

• Standards organizations.

Testing, refining

• R&D engineers.

• Test engineers.

• Technologists.

Storage, transportation

• Logistics.

• Trucking companies.

• Rail/barges/ports.

• Storage containers.

• Storage facilities.

Carbon credits, recordkeeping

• Energy companies.

• Policymakers.

• Airports/airlines.

• Government agencies.

• Sustainability officers.

Distribution

• Airports/airlines.

• Aviation organizations.

• Fixed-base operators (FBOs).

SAFII already has several sponsors, including Falex Corp., a supplier of test equipment for SAF fuels, Compass Instruments, a distributor of fuel-testing equipment, and Baker Tilly, an advisory tax and assurance firm serving ESG and sustainability specialties.

The first educational event is planned for this spring and will be entitled “What is SAF?”

In addition to Tomei, SAFII’s executive leadership and advisory board include well-respected members of the SAF community wishing to accelerate climate action for aviation fuels.

• Chairman, Andrew M. Faville (Falex).

• Chief technical advisor, Michael Croudace (Compass Instruments).

• President, Cindy Tomei (CAE).

• Vice president, David Faville (Falex).

• Vice president, James Hepp (Compass Instruments).

• Board member, Mark Denzler (Illinois Manufacturers’ Association).

• Board member, Jonathan McGee (Baker Tilly).

• Board member, Peter Probst (Indigenous Energy).

• Board member, Meg Whitty (LanzaJet).

“There are many contributors to the SAF industry, and our collaboration is imperative for climate action,” said Faville, the board chair. “We saw a need for an organization like SAFII to unite them all to work toward mutually beneficial goals. Our vision is for SAFII to become a resource for everyone inside and outside the community, to address any issues and questions regarding SAF-related policymaking, use, development, testing, fuel quality and distribution.”