The Story Behind Airborn Fuels Switzerland AG
Financing the Transformation to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
The story of Airborn Fuels Switzerland AG begins in 2019 with a key question: How could the unavoidable air ticket levy in Switzerland be designed in a way that it effectively contributes to climate protection while gaining public acceptance? Studies have shown that passengers are more likely to support a climate protection levy if it directly funds visible and understandable climate initiatives. In contrast, pure incentive taxes tend to face greater resistance.
A significant reduction in flight emissions can only be achieved by replacing fossil fuels with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). There is no other way to reach net-zero emissions in aviation without completely eliminating air travel. This gave rise to the idea of using up to 49% of the air ticket levy to fund innovation and production of synthetic aviation fuel.
In collaboration with ETH Professor Anthony Patt, Martin Bäumle and Peter Metzinger developed a proposal that was presented to the Swiss parliament by Martin Bäumle and eventually included in the new CO2 law.
Founding Airborn Fuels Switzerland AG
Following parliamentary discussions, it became clear that there were no active projects in Switzerland focused on the production and innovation of renewable aviation fuel, nor were there any concrete plans from the industry. As this situation persisted, Airborn Fuels Switzerland AG was founded with the mission to make synthetic aviation fuel a reality.
The original founders, Martin Bäumle, Alex Gantner, and Peter Metzinger, were joined in May 2021 by researchers Julien Anet and Andre Heel, who had similar ideas and plans for starting their own company. Together, we decided to join forces.
With Airborn Fuels, we aim to create favorable conditions for innovation, accelerate market development, and bring together the right partners. One of our key goals is to build a dual production and research pilot plant in Switzerland, which will later produce synthetic aviation fuel using innovative Swiss technologies in locations where renewable energy is abundant.
The Pilot Project: Making Synthetic Aviation Fuel a Reality
Despite the failure of the revised CO2 law in the referendum on June 13, 2021, our goal remains unchanged: the construction of a dual-purpose pilot plant.
On one hand, the plant will produce synthetic aviation fuel on a continuous commercial basis. At the same time, it will serve as a demonstration and pilot facility for research teams to scale their innovations from the lab to industrial production. Researchers will be able to test their components in a real commercial setting, helping to drive efficiency and reduce production costs.
Our long-term goal is to reduce the cost of synthetic aviation fuel by the 2040s to the point where it can compete with fossil fuels without ongoing subsidies.
Feasibility Study Launch
On October 1, 2024, Airborn Fuels Switzerland AG took an important step forward by initiating a feasibility study for the construction of a demonstration plant and innovation platform for synthetic jet fuel. This ambitious project aims to make aviation more climate-friendly by developing synthetic jet fuel as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. The study is being conducted by AFRY Switzerland Ltd, a leading engineering and consulting firm, with Casale SA serving as the technology partner.
Methanol as the Basis for Production
The proposed plant will focus on producing synthetic jet fuel via the methanol route, a key area requiring further research. Methanol is a versatile chemical feedstock widely used across industries. eMethanol is already being used to produce synthetic fuels, such as ePetrol for Porsche in Chile. However, aviation is still in the early stages of producing eKerosene from methanol, and this platform will serve as a research and development hub for further innovations. It will produce commercially viable quantities of eMethanol, part of which will be converted into eKerosene in a pilot facility.
Broad Support from Business and Academia
The canton of Aargau is supporting the project as part of its start-up funding initiative within its climate development focus. The demonstration plant is seen as a valuable addition to the Sisslerfeld real-world laboratory in Fricktal, which is aiming to pioneer innovative solutions in the fields of energy and mobility. Locally produced eMethanol will be used to decarbonize industry, further strengthening Aargau’s position as Switzerland’s leading energy canton. Numerous other partners are involved, including Cat Aviation AG, Groupe E, naturenergie holding AG, and Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.
A scientific advisory group consisting of experts from AEW Energie AG, armasuisse, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), EMPA, ETH Zurich, the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, Hightech Zentrum Aargau, OST – Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) is accompaniyg the study.
Additionally, the Coalition for Green Energy & Storage, launched by ETH Zurich, EPFL, the Paul Scherrer Institute, and EMPA, is supporting the feasibility study as part of an intensified collaboration between all partners from industry, research, and politics who are working on defossilization and securing Switzerland’s energy supply. This includes the Swiss Power-to-X Collaborative Innovation Network SPIN.
Airborn Fuels Switzerland AG is also a key partner in the refuel.ch research consortium, which is dedicated to promoting sustainable fuels and technologies.
Feasibility Study: The Foundation for Future Innovation
The feasibility study marks the first step in creating a platform for the research and development of synthetic jet fuel. The results of this study will be critical in shaping the future construction and operation of the plant, which will serve both aviation and industrial sectors in Sisslerfeld. Our aim is to drive the development of climate-neutral fuels and contribute to the decarbonization of aviation and industry.
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