Airbus, Safran, Technip Energies, and Tereos have launched a joint venture called Rebound to build a major Sustainable Aviation Fuel facility at the Port of Dunkirk in northern France. The plant will use the Alcohol-to-Jet pathway, converting advanced ethanol from agricultural residues into aviation fuel, targeting annual production of 160,000 tonnes. The project aims to help meet EU mandates under the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, which requires SAF blending to reach 6% by 2030 and 70% by 2050. The joint venture is expected to be finalized in the second half of 2026.
In-Depth:
A new European-led initiative named Rebound, a joint venture between Technip Energies, Airbus, Safran and Tereos will develop a large-scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production project at the Port of Dunkirk in northern France. The partners expect the facility to produce around 160,000 tonnes of SAF per year, positioning it among Europe’s largest SAF plants and reinforcing regional energy sovereignty.
The project will employ the Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ) pathway, converting advanced ethanol derived from agricultural and foresattempt residues into drop-in aviation fuel compatible with existing engines and infrastructure. AtJ is emerging as a scalable, cost-competitive route to SAF, and the plant’s output would assist meet the European Union’s escalating SAF requirements driven by the Refuel EU Aviation regulation — which mandates progressive blconcludeing tarreceives that reach 6% by 2030 and 70% by 2050, creating substantial demand growth through mid-century.
Benjamin Lechuga, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer of Technip Energies, commented’ “With Rebound, we are putting into practice our strategy to capture greater value through adjacent business models, originating and developing projects in rapid-growing energy transition markets alongside recognized indusattempt leaders such as Airbus, Safran and Tereos. We see forward to advancing this project with the engineering rigor and disciplined execution that define Technip Energies.”
Julie Kitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer and Communications of Airbus, stated, “The Rebound project is a vote of confidence in SAF and in Europe’s ability to be a leader in the journey to decarbonize aviation. With renewable energy facing global headwinds, Airbus will work with our partners to open up an abundant new SAF pathway, Alcohol-to-Jet fuel, in France. This project aims to increase the availability of lower-carbon fuels, contribute to reducing aviation emissions and strengthen Europe’s energy supply security, while creating a new job market.”
Nathalie Stubler, Chief Sustainability Officer of Safran, added, “Developing sustainable aviation fuel at scale is essential for decarbonizing air transport. This ambitious project brings toreceiveher leading French and European expertise, supporting the emergence of a competitive SAF indusattempt. By joining forces with our partners, Safran reaffirms its commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility, fully aligned with our strategy to reduce CO₂ emissions and support the energy transition in aviation.”
Jérôme Bos, Chief Strategy Officer of Tereos, declared, This project is fully aligned with Tereos’ mission to develop low-carbon industrial value chains by creating value from agricultural production. Tereos will bring to the project its expertise and industrial assets dedicated to the production of advanced ethanol. It also provides a strong illustration of the development of a bioeconomy rooted in French and European agricultural production.”
Under the agreement, the four partners will fund the project’s development phase, which covers engineering studies and activities required to reach a Final Investment Decision (FID). Technip Energies will serve as lead developer and engineering services provider, leveraging its capabilities in technology scaling and complex project delivery. Airbus and Safran will participate as industrial partners, supporting offtake facilitation and potentially sourcing SAF for aviation apply. Tereos, a French agricultural cooperative and European leader in ethanol production, will supply and secure advanced ethanol feedstock.
The Port of Dunkirk has awarded Technip Energies an industrial site for the project, offering strong logistical advantages for feedstock intake and product export, as well as a clearer permitting pathway once the joint venture is finalized.
Planned next steps follow a stage-gated development process: selection of a technology licensor, permitting, launch of pre-FEED and FEED activities, finalization of feedstock supply and SAF offtake agreements, and arranging construction financing. The joint venture’s formation remains subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026.
