Japan Airlines, Airbus, Nippon Paper Industries, Sumitomo and GEI to Collaborate on SAF Production

Japan Airlines has announced the signing of a MoU establishing a collaboration with Airbus, Nippon Paper Industries, Sumitomo Corporation and GEI to produce pure Japan domestic wood-based SAF.

Japan Airlines partners with Airbus, Nippon Paper Industries, Sumitomo Corporation and GEI, to collaborate on the production of pure Japan domestic wood-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) - Courtesy Japan Airlines

On Monday (March 17, 2025), Japan Airlines announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus, Nippon Paper Industries, Sumitomo Corporation and GEI, for the collaboration on the production of pure Japan domestic wood-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).  In February 2023, Nippon Paper, Sumitomo and GEI launched the ‘MORISORA Project.’  In February 2025, an agreement was then signed, establishing a joint venture to manufacture and sell bioethanol made from wood biomass.  Now, JAL and Airbus have joined the project and will promote the use and production of domestic SAF in Japan.

From left to right: wood chips, pulp, fermentation culture liquid, ‘MORISORA’ bioethanol – Courtesy Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines is committed to the promotion of domestically produced SAF, and aims to replace 10 percent of all aircraft fuel uptake with SAF by 2030.  By connecting SAF suppliers with producers, JAL hopes to advance the establishment of a reliable supply chain, while Airbus will support the work to obtain CORSIA certification for the domestic woody biomass.

Source: Japan Airlines