After finalizing a strategic partnership agreement, TotalEnergies and Safran will work together to develop technical and commercial solutions for decarbonizing the aviation industry, a press release issued by TotalEnergies reported.

Part of this agreement will make current engines compatible with fuel containing up to 100% of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the short term. However, the long-term strategy will involve the optimization of engine/fuel energy efficiency and environmental performance.

Aiming to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, the company added that the scope of this collaboration may also involve adapting fuel systems to SAF or the development of new-generation battery systems for electric motors.

In this regard, Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TotalEnergies, declared “we are pleased to join forces with Safran to help meet the challenge of decarbonizing the aviation industry together. This strategic alliance will contribute to the emergence of a French value chain for sustainable aviation fuel and electric aircraft.”

For his part, Olivier Andriès, Chief Executive Officer of Safran, said: “I welcome this agreement, which is fully in line with Safran’s strategic priority to decarbonize aviation. Our ambition is to develop breakthrough technologies for ultra-efficient engines that are 20% more fuel-efficient than the current LEAP engine and 100% compatible with sustainable fuels.