by Christopher Surgenor (GreenAir Online) Rolls-Royce and Shell have signed a long-term agreement to progress the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in aircraft engines and support the aviation industry’s decarbonisation efforts. Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU), the two companies will expand on existing areas of cooperation, including the engine manufacturer’s new SAFinity service for the business aviation sector and for which Shell is the exclusive SAF supplier. They will also work together on demonstrating the use of 100% SAF as a full drop-in engine solution, building on Rolls-Royce’s ongoing ground test programme for which Shell has provided the SAF. Currently, SAF can only be blended up to a maximum 50% with conventional jet fuel and the two companies will explore opportunities to help progress the use of 100% SAF towards certification. Rolls-Royce has committed to making all of its civil aero-engines in production compatible with 100% SAF by 2023 and increasing the share of its R&D spend on lower and net zero carbon technologies from 50% to at least 75% by 2025. READ MORE