Safran Helicopter Engines introduces biofuel to its facilities

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Safran Helicopter Engines, member of the French multinational aerospace group Safran, used 38% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the first time for an Arrano engine at its Bordes plant in southwest France.

The biofuel was produced from used cooking oil. The ground run marks the first step of a strategy to deploy SAF in engine test cells at all Safran Helicopter Engines plants. By the end of the year, the manufacturer plans to use at least 10% SAF at all its French facilities.

The news comes two weeks after Safran Helicopter Engines marked the first flight of a rescue helicopter using biofuel. An Airbus H145 of ADAC Luftrettung operated its twin Arriel 2E turbines on a mixture of 40 % biofuel and conventional Jet-A1.

Read more: Is carbon capture essential for sustainable aviation?

Franck Saudo, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO, said: “Reducing CO2 emissions is a collective responsibility that has been embraced by the women and men of Safran. By introducing SAF, and specifically biofuel, to helicopter operators and at our plants, we are reducing CO2 emissions at both. I am proud that once again, Safran has taken the lead in aviation decarbonisation."

Safran engines are already fully certified to operate on up to 50% sustainable fuel, including biofuel. The OEM’s ambition is to obtain a 100% biofuel approval by 2023. Emitting much less carbon throughout their entire life-cycle, these fuels could help reduce aviation CO2 emissions by up to 80%.

Now offering a complete range of engines, solid partnerships with other engine-makers and comprehensive support services, Safran Helicopter Engines has established its place in the international helicopter engine market.

Read more: £15m sustainable aviation fuel contest launched in UK

The company employs more than 5,600 people worldwide, including 4,600 in France, where it has three sites: Bordes (head office, design office, new engine manufacture), Tarnos (global support centre) and Mantes-Buchelay (control unit and accessory production). The company operates further 13 sites around the world.

Since its establishment 75 years ago, Safran Helicopter Engines has always specialised in turbine engines for helicopters. Today, the company continues to extend its product range by means of developing new families and new models.

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