EBB Calls for Smoother SAF Targets to Boost Investment and Global Supply Opportunities

In Belgium, the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) has outlined new policy priorities aimed at accelerating investment, scaling up production, and enhancing the competitiveness of bio-based sustainable aviation fuel (bioSAF) in the EU. While reaffirming support for the EU’s aviation decarbonization goals, EBB highlights the need to refine the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation to improve investment certainty.

EBB stresses that SAF projects are highly capital-intensive, with long development timelines requiring a stable regulatory framework. The current mandate structure—jumping from 6% SAF blending in 2030–2034 to 20% in 2035—creates a mismatch between supply growth and demand, potentially leading to temporary oversupply followed by compliance pressure. To address this, EBB proposes introducing annual, gradually increasing targets instead of five-year step changes.

The association also suggests implementing a SAF surplus and carry-over mechanism to enhance flexibility, alongside better alignment with the EU Emissions Trading System for Aviation to support EU-produced SAF and mitigate carbon leakage. This more predictable policy pathway could indirectly benefit global suppliers, including China.