Exolum has announced a £4.5 million investment to create the UK’s first independent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blending facility at Redcliffe Bay in south-west England. The facility will supply airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Bristol, Exeter and Cardiff.
The energy logistics company plans to develop a UK-wide network of SAF blending hubs across its 2,000km pipeline network. The infrastructure will provide SAF producers and importers with market access to jet fuel for 40% of flights departing UK airports.
The Redcliffe Bay facility is expected to become operational in 2026. Exolum estimates the initial investment will support the equivalent of up to 64,741 flights from London to New York annually.
The announcement comes as the UK’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill progresses through Parliament. SAF is a biofuel blended with conventional aviation fuel and used in aircraft without modification to reduce carbon emissions.
Unblended SAF will arrive by ship at Bristol’s Royal Portbury Dock before transport to the Redcliffe Bay site by pipeline. Exolum will store and blend the fuel on-site with conventional aviation fuel before distributing it through the national pipeline system.
The project includes infrastructure upgrades to Exolum’s existing aviation fuel pipeline storage and pumping station on the banks of the Severn Estuary near Bristol. The company will convert existing aviation fuel storage tanks to handle SAF, install blending infrastructure within the tanks, and modify systems with new pumps, filtration systems and segregation valves.
“Exolum’s investment at Redcliffe Bay is turning the UK’s ambitions for greener flights into reality, whilst helping secure the country’s position in global sustainable aviation,” said Stephen Land, Exolum North West Europe lead. “The UK’s twin commitments to airport expansion and to increasing SAF supplies have been crucial in ensuring that, and we’re looking forward to not only supporting greener aviation but also the growth of the UK’s sustainable fuels industry.”
The facility will provide a route to market for SAF production plants expected to become operational later this decade. The infrastructure supports long-term investment in SAF production across the UK, particularly in south-west England and southern Wales.
“I’m excited to see the rollout of Exolum’s SAF network, which will help support regional jobs across the country and is another vote of confidence in our SAF polices including the SAF Bill, which is back in Parliament for its third reading,” said Keir Mather, member of parliament and UK Department for Transport aviation minister.
The government is investing £63 million to support domestic SAF production. The investment accompanies a mandate to increase SAF supply in aviation fuel for UK flights.
“Exolum’s £4.5 million investment in their Redcliffe Bay facility marks a boost for North Somerset, helping support new technical jobs across the sustainable aviation supply chain in southwest England,” said Sadik Al Hassan, member of parliament for North Somerset and sustainable aviation champion.
Dave Lees, chief executive officer of Bristol Airport, said blending facilities form part of the future SAF supply chain needed to decarbonize aviation. Bristol Airport has committed to working with airline customers to meet the UK’s SAF mandate as part of its aim to achieve net zero operations by 2050.
