Belfast Company CATAGEN Showcases Decentralised Solution for Aviation Decarbonisation

Belfast-based technology company CATAGEN recently hosted 170 VINCI Airports network executives, including the President and CEO, at its Net Zero Campus. 

The event showcased the company's innovative, decentralised sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production system. 

They demonstrated how new technology can produce cleaner fuel locally, rather than relying on large, expensive centralised refineries.

The aviation industry faces a significant challenge. New legal mandates mean the UK requires 10% SAF blending by 2030.

By 2050, the world will need an estimated 360 million tonnes of SAF to reach net-zero goals, yet only 1 million tonnes were produced in 2024. 

CATAGEN subsidiary, ClimaHtech Green Flight, aims to bridge this gap using its patented reactor technologies, known as BIOHGEN and E-FUEL GEN, which are capable of producing 1–10 million litres of SAF annually.

These systems work by using renewable electricity and sustainable organic waste (biomass) to create net-zero fuels, e-SAF and bio-SAF. 

Crucially, this is a 'drop-in' fuel, meaning it is engineered to meet current jet fuel standards and can be used in today’s aircraft and airport infrastructure without any modifications.

Unlike traditional fuel plants that require billions in investment and years to build, CATAGEN’s model is modular and rapidly deployable.

These units are prefabricated and can be placed directly beside renewable energy sources or at airports where the demand is highest, strengthen overall energy resilience and reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports.

Daniel Owens, CEO of Belfast International Airport, stated that CATAGEN’s work shows the region is at the "cutting edge" of sustainable technologies.

He noted that such local innovation delivers real emissions reductions while driving economic growth and securing the fuel supply needed for responsible flying.

ClimaHtech Green Flight recently secured significant commercial interest, including a 15-year offtake agreement with Loganair and strategic partnerships with Ryanair and Shell Aviation Ireland.

VINCI Airports, which already has SAF available at 18 of its locations, is exploring how this decentralised model can support international airport decarbonisation.