SGS INSPIRE attended the on 17-18 June 2025.
The opened with a comprehensive outlook on the sustainable fuels market in Europe, highlighting recent regulatory developments, incentive mechanisms, and the evolving investment landscape.
National case studies showcased the progress and challenges in implementing sustainable fuel policies, with Italy emphasizing biomethane development through its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), and France presenting its proactive approach to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through early national mandates.
Discussions explored how different transport sectors—including aviation, maritime, and heavy-duty road transport—can be integrated into a unified strategy for sustainable fuel adoption. Industry leaders shared practical insights into the deployment of sustainable fuels across various modes of transport, focusing on technological readiness, scalability, and commercial viability. Strategies to reduce the production costs of SAF and other biofuels were examined, including improvements in processing efficiency, scale, and infrastructure.
Advances in technology were a central theme during the day, with presentations on innovations such as biocatalysts, hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA), co-processing of bio-oils with fossil fuels, and second-generation (2G) ethanol. MOEVE (previously CEPSA) presented its 2030 strategy: 8 billion euros investment plan with a 55% reduction in emissions from scope 1 and 2, 15-20% carbon intensity reduction based on products sold before 2050.
A detailed overview was given on the sourcing and optimization of diverse feedstocks, such as agricultural residues, used cooking oil, algae, and biogenic carbon dioxide. Airlines including Air France-KLM and IAG presented real-world examples of SAF deployment, underlining the logistical, financial, and regulatory hurdles involved in scaling up.
A dedicated session focused on the barriers to investment, highlighting the impact of regulatory uncertainty, uneven national policy support, and the limited availability of long-term offtake agreements.
The second day began with an in-depth look at the biomethane market in Europe, examining production capacity, grid integration, and the complexity of trading schemes and certification requirements. The future of advanced biofuels was explored, including the market outlook for bio-liquefied natural gas (bio-LNG), alongside their role in meeting EU climate targets.
Then legal experts discussed the importance of intellectual property (IP) strategies and patent protection to incentivize innovation in biofuel technologies. Certification and standardization were highlighted by SGS in a panel debate as critical tools for ensuring traceability, sustainability, and regulatory compliance across the biofuels value chain. Discussing “Stimulating Sustainable Fuels Flow: The Role of Certification and Standardization” with representatives from the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and WaveTransition, the panel explored the role of key certification schemes (ISCC, RSB, REDcert) and what they require from sustainable fuel producers. It also discussed how certification unlocks global markets, reduces trade barriers, and builds trust through transparency.
The summit concluded with a session on the maritime sector’s transition to sustainable fuels, emphasizing the role of biofuels in reducing emissions from shipping and the infrastructure needed to support this shift.