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HEDoctoral network2023–2027

YAF · Yeast-based solutions for sustainable Aviation Fuels

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2023-12-01 → 2027-11-30
EU contribution
€2,637,583
Participants
13
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Yeast-based solutions for sustainable Aviation Fuels

Aviation is one of the most challenging transport sectors to decarbonise due to its reliance on high-energy-density liquid fuels and the absence of viable large-scale alternatives in the near future. Drop-in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) represent a short- to medium-term solution, as they are fully compatible with existing aircraft engines and fuel infrastructure. However, their large-scale deployment is currently limited by high production costs and feedstock availability. YAF aims to train 12 doctoral candidates with cutting-edge scientific and transferable skills while advancing biotechnological pathways for SAF production. The project focuses on the use of non-conventional yeasts (NCY) as robust and versatile cell factories capable of converting biowaste-derived carbon sources into valuable SAF intermediates, such as fatty acids, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes. YAF brings together leading academic experts in genetics, systems biology, fermentation, and catalysis, alongside industrial partners covering the entire SAF value chain, from biowaste processing to fuel upgrading and end use. This integrated approach is expected to accelerate technological development and facilitate market uptake. The project contributes to waste valorisation, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction, and the development of a skilled workforce prepared to tackle future challenges in sustainable energy. YAF aims not only to deliver scientific and technological impact but also to strengthen Europe’s leadership in sustainable aviation fuels and clean energy innovation. Overall, YAF targets 5 main research and innovation objectives: 1) Maximizing conversion of biowastes into fermentable carbon sources. 2) Development of new NCY cell factories for SAF production. 3) Development of full-advanced catalysts for the production of yeast-derived SAF. 4) Evaluation of the complete supply chain of the proposed technology and demonstrate the environmental, social and techno-economic impacts of the new SAF. 5) Design and implement new SAF solutions that will aim at improving the welfare and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are the only short-term alternative to fossil fuels in aviation. Considering the increased number of passengers forecasted in the near future, a massive increased in SAF production has been estimated in the years to come. To fulfill this increase in demand, the combination of existing and new renewable production chains is needed. Current SAF-producing pathways are at different levels of maturity, implementation or even commercialization. However, lowering the cost and supply chain development are key challenges for commercial-scale SAF deployment. Using biowastes as feedstock for SAF is challenging but necessary to make SAF competitive with fossil fuels. In this context, yeasts may be key players to generate economically-viable SAF intermediates (terpenes or fatty acids (FA)) in an environmentally-friendly way from biowaste. This SAF production by biological means is very new and presents a lot of remaining challenges and training gaps that have to be addressed. YAF research programme aims at; i) producing carbon sources from biowastes, ii) developing new yeast cell factories to produce SAF, iii) designing new bifunctional catalysts, iv) achieving efficient strategies for FA/terpenes extraction, and v) creating robust framework tailored to the scaling-up methodologies and life-cycle sustainability assessment of different SAF producing routes, which will support decision-making. To achieve this, the right integration of biology, biotechnology, chemical engineering and environmental sciences will be required. Thus, the prime training/networking aim of YAF is to train the next generation of researchers in a highly interdisciplinary and intersectorial research environment such that they can soundly address upcoming challenges concerning production yeast-based SAF. YAF has been designed to strengthen European research and innovation, enhancing research visibility and generating a critical mass to address European (and global) challenges

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • Fundacion IMDEA Energia · Mostoles MadridCoordinatorSpain
  • ABO AKADEMI · AboFinland
  • BIO BASE EUROPE PILOT PLANT VZW · DESTELDONK GENTBelgium
  • CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES ENERGETICAS MEDIOAMBIENTALES Y TECNOLOGICAS · MADRIDSpain
  • DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET · Kongens LyngbyDenmark
  • IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE · LondonUnited Kingdom
  • MOEVE SA · MADRIDSpain
  • NUTROPY · Evry-CourcouronnesFrance
  • Saso Kocevar · HeidelbergGermany
  • TALLINNA TEHNIKAÜLIKOOL · TallinnEstonia
  • UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID · MadridSpain
  • UNIVERSIDAD REY JUAN CARLOS · MostolesSpain
  • UNIVERSITEIT GENT · GentBelgium

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union