EcoCeres calls for open EU SAF market

Biofuel producer EcoCeres has cautioned that potential trade defence measures on imported SAF could undermine EU climate objectives, weaken fair competition and tighten already constrained supply.
With SAF recognised as a central pillar of aviation’s decarbonisation under the EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, EcoCeres stressed that the policy and trade framework must strengthen – not constrain – the conditions needed for steady supply growth, free trade and technological innovation.
At a time when SAF supply remains tight and prices are higher than conventional jet fuel, any trade defence measures that restrict international SAF supply or raise its cost through tariffs would risk slowing SAF uptake despite the existence of binding mandates.
“If we are serious about meeting climate targets, we cannot afford to close the door on competitive SAF supply,” said Matti Lievonen, CEO of EcoCeres.
“Trade defence measures that make SAF even more expensive or harder to access would run directly against the spirit of ReFuelEU – they would discourage airlines from switching away from fossil jet fuel, reinforce market concentration that primarily benefit a small number of EU-based producers and ultimately delay progress towards the EU’s short- and long-term climate goals.”