KUALA LUMPUR: Airbus and the Aerospace Malaysia Innovation Centre (AMIC) have entered into a strategic research and technology partnership aimed at enhancing the supply chain for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) across the Asia-Pacific region.
This collaboration underscores both organisations’ commitment to accelerating the deployment of SAF by identifying key opportunities, addressing supply chain bottlenecks, and improving production scalability – all critical components in supporting the aviation sector’s decarbonisation goals.
Focusing on ASEAN member states and selected Asia-Pacific economies, the joint initiative will involve comprehensive data collection and analysis to assess regional feedstock availability and production potential. Research will centre on SAF pathways approved under the ICAO-CORSIA framework, while also evaluating new, promising feedstock candidates for long-term viability.
“This cooperation reflects AMIC’s strategic role in fostering high-impact innovation within the aviation ecosystem. By targeting supply chain optimisation, this research aims to unlock new economic opportunities while aligning with global sustainability imperatives,” said Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid, Chairman of AMIC.
“Airbus is committed to building a robust global SAF ecosystem, and the Asia-Pacific region is central to that vision. Through this partnership with AMIC, we are deepening our engagement in Malaysia and investing in research that lays the foundation for a locally-driven, future-ready SAF industry. This initiative demonstrates how industry collaboration can translate sustainability ambitions into tangible outcomes,” said Julie Kitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer, Airbus.
This initiative marks a significant step toward positioning Asia-Pacific as a key contributor in the global SAF value chain. By leveraging regional strengths in feedstock diversity and innovation capabilities, the collaboration aims to deliver scalable and sustainable solutions for aviation fuel production.
Established in 2011, AMIC is a public-private partnership driving aerospace innovation in Malaysia. Its research agenda is aligned with national and industry priorities, including sustainable aviation, digital transformation, and next-generation aerostructures.
SAF remains one of the most effective levers in reducing aviation’s environmental impact, offering up to an 80% reduction in lifecycle carbon emissions compared to traditional jet fuel. Today, all Airbus aircraft are certified to fly with up to 50% SAF, with the company targeting 100% SAF capability across its fleet by 2030.
