Sustainable Aviation
Daher Advances Aerospace Decarbonization with Hybrid Electric Innovation
Daher targets 50% emissions reduction by 2032 with hybrid-electric tech and sustainable fuel, leading aerospace decarbonization efforts.
Daher’s Commitment to a Low-Carbon Future: A Deep Dive into Aerospace Decarbonization
The aviation industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its carbon footprint as global climate goals become more urgent. Within this context, Daher, a French industrial conglomerate with a rich heritage in aerospace, has emerged as a leader in the sector’s decarbonization efforts. The company’s comprehensive approach goes beyond compliance, aiming to drive systemic change throughout the aerospace value chain. This article examines Daher’s low-carbon strategy, its implementation, and its significance for the future of sustainable aviation.
Daher’s commitment is not just a response to regulatory demands but a proactive business strategy that integrates climate action into every facet of its operations. By leveraging its unique position across aircraft manufacturing, industrial services, and logistics, Daher seeks to set new benchmarks for environmental responsibility within the aerospace sector. The following analysis explores the company’s history, strategic pillars, technological innovations, and broader implications for the industry.
Company Background and Strategic Foundation
Historical Context and Market Position
Founded in 1863, Daher has evolved from a shipping company into a multifaceted industrial conglomerate. The family-owned business, with an 80% stake held by the Daher family and 20% by the French public investment bank BPI, has maintained a long-term vision that favors strategic investments in sustainability. Its involvement in aerospace began over a century ago, and today, Daher stands as the world’s oldest aircraft manufacturer still in operation.
The company’s operations span aircraft manufacturing (notably the TBM and Kodiak lines), industrial services, and logistics. In 2023, Daher employed approximately 13,000 people and generated revenues of €1.65 billion. Its diversified business model enables it to influence multiple touchpoints in the aerospace supply chain, positioning the company as a system integrator for environmental transformation.
Daher’s international reach is significant, with a strong presence in Europe and North America and a growing footprint in Asia. The company’s acquisition of Assistance Aéronautique et Aérospatiale (AAA) in 2023 further bolstered its industrial services capabilities, making it a key partner for major aerospace players such as Airbus, Boeing, and Dassault.
“Daher’s unique value proposition lies in its ability to influence the entire aerospace ecosystem, from design and manufacturing to logistics and supply chain management.”
Strategic Climate Policy: The Four Pillars
Daher’s climate policy is anchored on four strategic pillars: reducing operational emissions, engaging suppliers, decarbonizing products and services, and climate adaptation. The first pillar targets a 50% reduction in operational emissions by 2032, with an interim goal of 23% by 2027, aligning with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C objective. This is being pursued through energy efficiency, electrification, increased use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and process optimization.
The second pillar focuses on supplier engagement. By 2027, Daher aims to assess the carbon maturity of its 50 highest-emitting suppliers, expanding to the top 100 by 2032. This includes gathering reliable CO₂ data and co-developing emission reduction pathways, fostering a collaborative approach to decarbonization across the supply chain.
The third pillar addresses the decarbonization of products and services. Daher has committed to developing a lower-carbon aircraft by 2027, increasing SAF usage to over 10% by 2027 and 20% by 2032, and investing heavily in composite materials research to reduce aircraft weight and improve energy efficiency. The fourth pillar involves climate adaptation, with site risk mapping and adaptation plans to be completed by 2032.
Innovation and Implementation: Driving Decarbonization
Take Off 2027: Strategic Plan in Action
Daher’s “Take Off 2027” plan integrates sustainability with business growth. The company aims for a 5% annual reduction in CO₂ emissions starting in 2025, with early progress demonstrated by an 11% reduction in French Scopes 1 and 2 emissions in 2023. The plan also includes organizational restructuring to enhance agility and embed sustainability into all business lines.
Innovation is central to Daher’s decarbonization efforts. The company operates three regional technology centers: Log’in (logistics innovation in Toulouse), Shap’in (composite materials in Nantes), and Fly’in (general aviation in Tarbes). These centers drive R&D in hybrid propulsion, advanced materials, digital transformation, and supply chain optimization, ensuring that both immediate and long-term sustainability goals are met.
The company’s open innovation program, Imagineering by Daher, and active participation in CORAC (French Council for Civil Aeronautical Research) projects highlight its commitment to collaborative technological advancement. These initiatives foster partnerships with startups, academic institutions, and industry leaders to accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable aviation technologies.
Revolutionary Technology: The EcoPulse Project
EcoPulse, a joint project with Safran and Airbus, is a hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrator based on the Daher TBM 900. In November 2023, EcoPulse completed its first hybrid-electric test flight, marking a major milestone in distributed hybrid-electric propulsion. The demonstrator features six wing-mounted e-propellers, each powered by Safran ENGINeUSTM electric engines, and has accumulated over 100 flight hours as of mid-2024.
This project has validated the technical feasibility of high-voltage (800V DC) distributed propulsion and provided insights into noise reduction, battery management, and certification challenges. The collaborative approach, with each partner contributing specialized expertise, exemplifies the ecosystem model necessary for scaling sustainable aviation solutions.
Key findings from EcoPulse include the importance of synchro-phasing electric propellers for noise reduction, the need for advanced battery systems, and the critical role of pilot assistance interfaces. These insights will inform the development of next-generation hybrid and electric aircraft, supporting Daher’s goal of bringing a hybrid-electric aircraft to market by 2027.
“The EcoPulse project demonstrates that collaborative innovation is essential for overcoming the complex technical and regulatory challenges of aviation decarbonization.”
Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Supply Chain Transformation
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a cornerstone of Daher’s decarbonization strategy. The company has committed to exceeding 10% SAF usage by 2027 and 20% by 2032. However, the broader industry faces challenges: global SAF production in 2024 was less than 1.5 million metric tons, just 0.5% of total jet fuel needs, and SAF remains three times more expensive than conventional kerosene.
Daher’s supplier engagement extends to responsible purchasing, as evidenced by its RFAR label and high EcoVadis scores in responsible procurement. The company’s 3R (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse) strategy optimizes packaging and promotes circular economy principles, while initiatives like the Terra Preta project recycle thermoplastic composite waste for use in certified aircraft components.
These efforts are complemented by waste mapping, improved sorting, and employee engagement in sustainability practices. Daher’s comprehensive approach to supply chain transformation ensures that decarbonization is embedded at every stage of the product lifecycle.
Industry Context and Future Implications
Global Decarbonization Commitments and Challenges
The aviation industry has committed to net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050, with regulatory frameworks such as the EU’s SAF blending mandates providing market certainty for sustainable fuels. Despite representing just 2–3% of global emissions, aviation’s projected growth to 8 billion passengers by 2040 makes it one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize.
Technology development is proceeding on multiple fronts: SAF, hybrid and electric propulsion, hydrogen aircraft, and operational efficiencies. The sustainable aviation fuel market, valued at $1.7 billion in 2024, is expected to grow rapidly, but scaling production from 1.5 million to at least 16 million metric tons by 2030 remains a formidable challenge.
For manufacturers, the window for action is narrow. Analysis suggests that by 2032–2037, all new aircraft must be net-zero capable to enable airlines to meet 2050 targets. This places significant pressure on R&D investment, regulatory harmonization, and ecosystem collaboration.
Daher’s Role and Recognition
Daher’s efforts have earned recognition from the CDP (B rating), EcoVadis (bronze medal, 64/100), and Top Employer France (three consecutive years). These accolades reflect the company’s leadership in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, as well as its strength in responsible purchasing and employee engagement.
The company’s financial performance, €1.65 billion in 2023 revenue, and continued international expansion demonstrate that sustainability and profitability can be mutually reinforcing. Daher’s quadrupling of R&D investment under the Take Off 2027 plan and its focus on composite materials research further cement its position as an industry innovator.
By integrating sustainability into business strategy, Daher is not only mitigating risk but also capturing emerging market opportunities as regulatory requirements tighten and customer preferences shift toward greener solutions.
Conclusion
Daher’s comprehensive low-carbon strategy exemplifies how aerospace companies can lead the transition to sustainable aviation. By addressing emissions across operations, supply chains, products, and climate adaptation, and by investing in breakthrough technologies like hybrid-electric propulsion, Daher sets a benchmark for systemic industry transformation.
Looking ahead, the successful commercialization of hybrid-electric aircraft and continued supply chain engagement will be critical for achieving net-zero goals. Daher’s experience underscores the importance of collaboration, innovation, and integration of sustainability into core business strategy. As the industry moves toward 2050, companies that combine environmental leadership with operational excellence will be best positioned to shape the future of flight.
FAQ
What are Daher’s main decarbonization targets?
Daher aims to reduce operational emissions by 50% by 2032 (with a 23% reduction by 2027), increase SAF usage to over 10% by 2027 and 20% by 2032, and bring a hybrid-electric aircraft to market by 2027.
What is the EcoPulse project?
EcoPulse is a hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrator developed with Safran and Airbus, based on the TBM 900. It has validated distributed propulsion and advanced battery management, providing a roadmap for future hybrid and electric aircraft.
How does Daher involve its suppliers in decarbonization?
Daher assesses the carbon maturity of its highest-emitting suppliers, collects CO₂ data, and co-develops emission reduction pathways, aiming for full engagement of the top 100 suppliers by 2032.
What challenges does the aviation industry face in scaling SAF?
SAF production is currently limited and expensive, making up less than 0.5% of total jet fuel demand in 2024. Scaling production and reducing costs are key challenges for widespread adoption.
How is Daher recognized for its sustainability efforts?
Daher has received a B rating from CDP, a bronze medal from EcoVadis, and Top Employer France certification, reflecting its strong performance in ESG, responsible purchasing, and employee engagement.
Sources
Photo Credit: Daher – Montage
Sustainable Aviation
SABA Members Back Infinium eSAF Facility With Long-Term Deals
Google, McKinsey, and others sign binding SAFc agreements to support Infinium Energy’s 100,000 MT/year Texas eSAF project.
Corporate members of the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA) have signed binding, multi-year agreements to purchase sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFc) from Infinium Energy’s planned electro-sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) facility in Texas. The commitments, announced on September 22, 2026, are designed to provide the financial demand signals necessary for Infinium to reach a final investment decision on the project.
In a press release issued by SABA, the organization confirmed that American Airlines (AA) will serve as the physical offtaker for the fuel, managing logistics and delivery. The corporate buyers purchasing the associated certificates include AVEVA, Bain & Company, Google, and McKinsey & Company. The agreement marks the first time SABA’s procurement model has been utilized to directly drive new production capacity for scalable sustainable aviation fuel.
Project Atlas production and environmental targets
Infinium Energy was selected through a SABA procurement process earlier in 2026 to provide ultra-low carbon eSAF. The fuel is produced using waste carbon dioxide and renewable energy, distinguishing it from traditional biofuel pathways that rely on agricultural or waste feedstocks.
The planned Texas facility, designated Project Atlas, is expected to have an annual sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production capacity of 100,000 metric tons. According to the alliance, the contracted volumes will support an expected greenhouse gas abatement of 212,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (mtCO2e). SABA equates this emissions reduction to approximately 3,500 commercial flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
“We’re proud to partner with SABA members including AVEVA, Bain & Company, Google, McKinsey, and others, as well as American Airlines to bring Infinium Energy’s next world scale eSAF facility to life. Their commitment reflects a shared conviction that decarbonizing aviation requires real investment in next-generation supply,” said Robert Schuetzle, CEO of Infinium Energy.
Aggregating demand through book-and-claim
The transaction utilizes a book-and-claim model. Corporate buyers purchase the SAFc to claim the environmental benefits against their business travel emissions, while the physical fuel is delivered to partner airlines. This mechanism allows corporations to fund SAF production even when the physical fuel cannot be delivered directly to the airports their employees use.
American Airlines will manage the physical integration of the eSAF into the commercial aviation fuel supply chain. Jill Blickstein, Chief Sustainability Officer at American Airlines, stated that the corporate commitments broaden participation in the SAF market and demonstrate how customers can collaborate with airlines and fuel producers to advance decarbonization.
SABA, a joint initiative of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the Center for Green Market Activation (GMA), and RMI, has aggregated $500 million in SAFc demand from 35 companies to date. Aviation currently accounts for approximately 2 to 3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“Novel technologies are critical to meeting future demand for sustainable aviation fuel, but they will not be operational in time without investments made today. This procurement demonstrates how aggregated, long-term demand can help take promising eSAF projects from idea to reality,” said Jon Creyts, CEO of RMI.
AirPro News analysis
We view this agreement as a critical structural step for the eSAF market. Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuels like those planned for Project Atlas face a steep commercialization barrier. They are highly capital-intensive to build and currently produce fuel at a significant cost premium compared to both conventional Jet A and HEFA-based SAF derived from waste fats and oils.
Airlines operate on thin margins and generally cannot absorb the full green premium of eSAF alone. By unbundling the environmental attributes from the physical fuel, the SABA model allows highly capitalized corporate entities like Google and McKinsey & Company to absorb that premium. More importantly, signing binding, multi-year offtake agreements provides the revenue certainty that infrastructure lenders require before financing first-of-a-kind industrial facilities. If Project Atlas reaches a positive final investment decision based on these contracts, it will validate the book-and-claim model as a viable financing mechanism for next-generation aerospace infrastructure.
Sources: Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance via PR Newswire
Photo Credit: Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance
Sustainable Aviation
EU Exceeds 2025 SAF Mandate at 2.79 Percent Blend Rate
EASA reports EU airports hit 2.79% SAF blend in 2025, surpassing the 2% ReFuelEU mandate with 1.1M tonnes supplied.
The European Union surpassed its initial Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate in 2025, with SAF accounting for 2.79 percent of all jet fuel supplied to EU airports during the first mandatory reporting year.
According to the 2026 ReFuelEU Aviation Annual Technical Report published by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on September 17, 2026, fuel suppliers delivered 1.1 million tonnes of SAF against a total aviation fuel supply of 39.3 million tonnes. The 2.79 percent blend rate comfortably exceeded the 2 percent minimum required by the ReFuelEU regulation for 2025. This uptake resulted in an estimated reduction of 3.77 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.
“We are pleased to confirm that the SAF mandate under ReFuelEU Aviation was not only met but exceeded,” EASA Executive Director Florian Guillermet stated in the agency’s press release.
Compliance and distribution across European hubs
The EASA report indicates high compliance rates across the sector. Ninety-three percent of aircraft operators and 90 percent of fuel suppliers fulfilled their reporting obligations in 2025. EASA noted that noncompliance among aircraft operators was primarily limited to small business jet operators, nonscheduled carriers, and third-country operators that failed to respond to competent authorities.
SAF distribution reached 121 Airports across all 27 Member States, representing 79 percent of all Union airports. Uptake was heavily concentrated at major European hubs. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) accounted for 29 percent of the tracked SAF supply, followed by Frankfurt Airport (FRA) at 8 percent and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) at 7 percent.
Supply chain dynamics and feedstock dependencies
While the headline blending figures demonstrate regulatory success, the technical report reveals a structural reliance on imported raw materials. Although 86 percent of the SAF supplied at EU airports was refined domestically within the European Union, 85 percent of the underlying feedstocks originated from outside the bloc.
The primary feedstock utilized was Used Cooking Oil (UCO) processed via the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway. Of the imported feedstocks, 61 percent originated from China, with additional volumes sourced from Malaysia and Indonesia. On the refining side, Neste’s Rotterdam facility alone produced 33 percent of all European SAF in 2025.
AirPro News analysis
The successful implementation of the 2 percent mandate in 2025 proves that the logistical framework for SAF distribution at major European hubs is functional. However, the heavy reliance on Asian Used Cooking Oil presents a long-term vulnerability for European aviation. As the ReFuelEU mandate scales to 6 percent in 2030, the Regulations will also introduce sub-mandates for synthetic aviation fuels (e-fuels). With approximately 50 synthetic fuel projects awaiting final investment decisions and no large-scale e-fuel facilities currently operational in Europe, we anticipate significant capital mobilization will be required over the next 36 months to prevent future supply bottlenecks and reduce dependency on imported biomass.
Photo Credit: European Union Aviation Safety Agency
Sustainable Aviation
Montana Renewables Cuts SAF Expansion Cost to $137M
Calumet’s Montana Renewables targets 200M gallons of SAF annually by 2028 for $137M, down from a $1.2B plan.
Calumet, Inc. and its subsidiary Montana Renewables, LLC announced a revised expansion plan on September 1, 2026, that will scale SAF production to 200 million gallons annually by 2028 for a fraction of the originally projected cost.
By repurposing existing refining equipment at the Great Falls, Montana facility, the company expects to complete the MaxSAF project with only $137 million in remaining capital. This abandons a previous $1.2 billion megaproject design. The pivot eliminates the need for third-party equity and minimizes debt while accelerating domestic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) capacity.
Capital efficiency and Department of Energy funding
The original Phase 2 plan contemplated $1.2 billion in capital expenditure. The revised strategy captures 70 percent of the expected benefit for 15 percent of the cost. The financial restructuring involves an amended Loan Guarantee Agreement (LGA) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
The original LGA was executed in January 2025, with a $782 million first tranche funded in February 2025 to recapitalize Montana Renewables, LLC (MRL). Under the amended agreement, the company will make a final draw of $34 million. This is significantly lower than the original $658 million Phase 2 DOE funding limit.
Calumet CEO Todd Borgmann stated the Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF) supported the adjustment to the loan agreement.
“Our amended agreement with the DOE facilitates innovative technology and domestic energy security at a fraction of the original cost. EDF’s willingness to right-size the LGA reflects its ongoing support for Montana’s largest agricultural investment. We look forward to our continued collaboration with the DOE on the success of this project,” Borgmann said.
Borgmann credited the company’s engineering and operational teams for developing a project that maximizes output while drastically reducing the required capital investment.
Production timeline and capacity milestones
The Great Falls facility currently operates at a 60 million gallon SAF run-rate following a spring 2026 constraint removal. A scheduled turnaround in the fourth quarter of 2026 will tie in repurposed equipment from the adjacent Calumet Montana Refining facility.
Following the fourth-quarter integration, the company expects to exceed an 80 million gallon SAF run-rate by December 31, 2026. Production is projected to surpass 120 million gallons by spring 2027 and reach the 200 million gallon target by December 31, 2028.
Total renewable product sales, including renewable diesel and renewable gasoline, are targeted at 17,000 barrels per day by year-end 2028. This represents a 40 percent expansion. The expanded facility will consume 2 billion pounds of ranch- and farm-originated feedstocks annually.
AirPro News analysis
The revised MaxSAF expansion highlights a strategic shift in how producers approach SAF scaling. As noted by Aviation Week on September 2, 2026, the plan allows the largest US producer of SAF to more than triple its production capacity for barely 10 percent of the originally planned investment.
During Calumet’s second-quarter 2026 earnings call on August 7, 2026, the company confirmed that Montana Renewables completed performance testing of the newly installed MaxSAF catalyst, which met or exceeded expectations. By leveraging existing fossil-fuel infrastructure rather than pursuing multi-billion-dollar greenfield projects, producers can bring SAF to market faster and with significantly lower financial risk. This capital-efficient model may set a precedent for other refiners looking to enter or expand in the renewable fuels sector without diluting equity or taking on unsustainable debt.
Sources: Calumet, Inc.
Photo Credit: Montana Renewables
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