Shell and Rolls-Royce sign MoU to support the decarbonisation of aviation

Credit: Rolls-Royce

Shell and Rolls-Royce have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to support the decarbonisation of the aviation industry and its progress towards net zero emissions. The long-term agreement builds on more than a century of cooperation between the two companies and embodies a shared perspective that collaboration across the aviation value chain is necessary for the decarbonisation of the sector.

In recognition of the scale of the challenge, the MoU will expand and accelerate several existing areas of cooperation between the companies, such as advancing the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This includes Rolls-Royce’s new SAFinity service, for which Shell is the exclusive SAF supplier, and working together on demonstrating the use of 100 per cent SAF as a full ‘drop-in’ solution. This will see the companies explore opportunities to help to progress the use of 100 per cent SAF towards certification, building on Rolls-Royce’s ongoing 100 per cent SAF testing programme.

“The heritage of collaboration between Rolls-Royce and Shell is a strong foundation for the future, particularly when it comes to our shared ambitions for achieving net zero emissions,” said Anna Mascolo, President of Shell Aviation. “Being from different parts of the aviation value chain means that Rolls-Royce and Shell bring complementary expertise, experiences and ideas to the table. Wide-ranging cooperation can drive new solutions that will help the aviation industry and our customers to navigate a pathway to net zero.”

“Supporting the decarbonisation of aviation while continuing to enable progress in flight are goals that Rolls-Royce and Shell both share,” said Paul Stein, Chief Technology Officer at Rolls-Royce. “We believe that working together on these aims can deliver benefits for both the development of new innovations as well as collaborating to find ways to unlock the net carbon emissions reduction potential of technology that is already in use today. SAFs will not only power large aircraft and business aviation, but also hybrid electric Urban Air Mobility (e.g. ‘flying taxis’) and the forthcoming generation of hybrid fixed wing city hoppers, which is why we place such importance on the ramp up of SAF adoption across the industry.”

The MoU will explore opportunities for Shell and Rolls-Royce to provide decarbonisation solutions to meet their respective targets to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. This will include both companies contributing technologies and expertise to help to reduce operational emissions. Shell will assess opportunities to support Rolls-Royce in reducing travel emissions through the supply of SAF, while Rolls-Royce will lend its technical expertise to advise Shell in its new fuels development, as well as innovative low carbon energy alternatives for new aircraft and power systems.

The MoU will also set the foundation for Rolls-Royce and Shell to work together to proactively engage industry bodies and forums to progress strategic policy issues, and address existing barriers associated with the aviation sector’s pathway to decarbonisation. As part of this, Rolls-Royce and Shell also expect to work closely with stakeholders from across the aviation community to help to support wider progress towards net zero.

As part of the MoU, Rolls-Royce and Shell will assess broader opportunities for cooperation across aviation, as well as infrastructure in other mobility sectors, such as shipping and rail.