Sustainable Aviation Fuels: Opportunities and Challenges for Building Market-Aligned Sustainable Value

Join us on September 15, 22 and 29 for this FREE virtual event series from 2-3:30 ET
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Major airlines have committed to eliminating their net carbon emissions by 2050 even as they expect a fivefold increase in annual global passengers over the same period. To meet that ambitious goal, they’ve touted the potential of sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF. But will it happen?

Join us for a three session event to explore the potential of SAF: Market needs on September 15, Technical requirements on September 22 and Regulatory and scale challenges on September 29. Sponsored by the ACS Divisions of Energy & Fuels (ENFL), Small Chemical Businesses (SCHB),  Business Development & Management (BMGT), and Professional Relations (PROF) this FREE SERIES  showcases the sustainable value chemistry creates everywhere we look and how chemistry practitioners create valuable technical solutions to serve the needs of markets.  

The SAF Virtual Value Chain series will be held as three 90-minute virtual meetings each featuring a distinguished keynote speaker, panel discussion, and break-out engagements on key aspects of the value chain and allow chemists of all experience levels to learn about the challenges, opportunities, and careers involved in addressing the SAF market. 

Dr. Valerie Sarisky-Reed, Director of DoE BETO
Dr. Valerie Sarisky-Reed, Director of DoE BETO

Session 1 on September 15 focuses on the market need and downstream requirements that set the scope for SAF solutions and features experts in market need for SAF. Dr. Valerie Sarisky-Reed Director of DoE BETO is the kickoff speaker, Dr. Aalo Gupta of Phillips 66 will moderate a panel discussion with speakers to include Mr. Thomas Michels Director of Government Affairs United Airlines; Mr. Steve Csonka President Csonka Aviation Consultancy and Mr. Scott Fenwick Technical Director Clean Fuels Alliance America.

Mr. Henrik Rasmussen, Managing Director, The Americas at Topsoe
Mr. Henrik Rasmussen, Managing Director, The Americas at Topsoe

Session 2 on September 22 focuses on technology requirements and research opportunities to develop SAF and features experts in the technology of SAF. Mr. Henrik Rasmussen Managing Director, The Americas at Topsoe is the kickoff speaker. Dr. Jinxia Fu of the University of Hawaii will moderate a panel discussion with speakers to include Ms. Corinne Drennan: Manager, Bioenergy Technologies Programs PNNL; Dr. James Hileman Chief Scientific and Technical Advisor for Environment FAA and Dr. Steven Zabarnick Division Head, Fuels and Combustion at University of Dayton Research Institute.

Joseph Ran, VP Business Development, World Energy
Joseph Ran, VP Business Development, World Energy

Session 3 on September 29 focuses on the challenges of scaling SAF to maturity including volumes and regulatory requirements needed to meet the 2050 net carbon emission targets. Mr. Joseph Ran, VP Business Development at World Energy is the kickoff speaker, Dr. Paul Robinson Lead Engineer Global Hydrocracking, Haldo Topsoe will moderate a panel discussion with speakers to include Dr. Zia Abdullah laboratory Program Manager at NREL; Mr. Daniel Szeezil Director of Sales and Business Development at Alder Fuels.

So join us in September and learn more about the value chemistry provides for the SAF market and how chemists can grow their careers to address our global sustainability goals.


NOTE: This is the first in what is hoped to be a series of virtual events sponsored by ACS President-Elect Judy Giordan focused on end use markets where chemistry plays a central role in defining the market needs, creating technical solutions for these needs, and in scaling the required technology to create significant global impact and great careers! Stay tuned for the next event! And if you are a Division that would like to lead an event, please let us know at j.giordan@acs.org

The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the view of their employer or the American Chemical Society.

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