"This is a big day and we are very proud to be the first airline using biofuel. What is becoming reality today is a huge step for the aviation industry and the environment and I hope that Karlstad Airport can act as a role model for other airports," says Magnus Ivarsson, CEO of Nextjet.
“This facility is the first stationary storage tank for aviation biofuel in Europe and possibly even the world,” says Thorbjörn Larsson, vice president of Statoil Fuel & Retail Aviation.
Karlstad Airport is an environmentally certified airport owned and operated by the municipality of Karlstad. The city has set clear environmental objectives as part of its owner directive.
“It’s fantastic that we are now presenting this aviation biofuel facility. It has been achieved thanks to our ambitious environmental demands and the work of a dedicated airport manager,” says Per-Samuel Nisser (Moderaterna), chairman of the executive committee, Karlstad municipality.
Climate compensation fund
Aviation biofuel is 3-4 times more expensive than normal aviation fuel and this extra cost is currently preventing airlines acting in a more eco-friendly way.
To solve this problem, SkyNRG, a Dutch pioneer in aviation biofuel, has teamed up with Statoil Fuel & Retail to establish a climate compensation fund. The fund will initially cover the difference between the cost of normal aviation fuel and biofuel. In the longer term the fund will also support research. Businesses, the public sector and private individuals can make contributions.
“We are very pleased to be taking this initiative together with Statoil Fuel & Retail Aviation. Karlstad has the potential to be a major producer and a pioneer in the use of sustainable fuel,” says Dirk Kronemeijer, CEO of SkyNRG.
Supplies of aviation biofuel
The Karlstad region in Sweden is home to world-leading competence in pulp and paper technology. Over 100 companies in this sector collaborate in a cluster called the Paper Province.
“We have seen that there are opportunities to exploit the resources of the forest more effectively by better use of waste products, including the production of aviation biofuel, “ says Maria Hollander CEO of the Paper Province.
National and international focus on Karlstad
“IATA is excited by Karlstad Airport offering a regular biofuel supply to all departing aircraft. This is a big step forward - so far biofuel has only been supplied to specific flights from individual airlines. The area around Karlstad Airport has a high potential for sustainable biojet production from locally available feedstock such as forestry residues and waste streams, says Thomas Roetger, Assistant Director, Aviation Environment – Technology, International Air Transport Association.
Region Värmland (organisation for regional development and growth) and Trafikverket (the Swedish Transport Administration) is also providing financial support for the strategic parts of the project.