Red Rock and Shell have entered into a Cellulosic Fuel Purchase and Sale Agreement in which Shell will purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and cellulosic renewable diesel fuel from Red Rock’s new biorefinery in Lakeview, Oregon, U.S.A.. Shell will distribute the SAF to Red Rock’s existing airline customers and market Red Rock’s cellulosic renewable diesel fuel.

By combining Red Rock’s production capabilities with Shell’s technical and commercial expertise and world-class supply chain, the companies are demonstrating how working together is enabling the production and distribution of SAF and cellulosic renewable diesel and supporting the decarbonisation of aviation and heavy transport.

“We are excited to have Shell join our strong team of project partners on our Lakeview biorefinery,” said Terry Kulesa, CEO of Red Rock. “With its operational capabilities and global supply chain expertise, Shell is ideally positioned to support us in helping make low-carbon SAF and cellulosic renewable diesel more widely available to airlines and heavy transport companies who are committed to reducing emissions and tackling climate change.”

Red Rock’s biorefinery is scheduled for completion early next year. Once operational, it will be the world’s first commercial scale plant to utilise waste woody biomass from forests at risk of wildfire to create SAF and cellulosic renewable diesel.

“This has been one of the most devastating wildfire seasons on record,” said Kulesa. “We have seen wildfires grow in intensity, acreage, and damage to public health and the environment. One of the many potential benefits of the plant is to reduce the waste woody biomass lying on the forest floor which may help to mitigate the spread of wildfires.”

“Sustainable aviation fuel is crucial to aviation’s success in reaching net zero emissions by 2050, alongside new technologies and high-quality carbon credits. But to enable SAF to fulfil its potential we need to be proactive and resolute in finding opportunities to increase availability of SAF today and tomorrow,” said Anna Mascolo, president of Global Aviation at Shell. “Increasing SAF is dependent on collaboration across the whole value chain. We are proud to work together with Red Rock to support the development of their innovative new production facility in Lakeview, Oregon.”

In general, lifecycle carbon emissions from SAF and cellulosic renewable diesel are expected to be up to 80% lower than conventional jet fuel. The SAF will be supplied to airports through existing airport infrastructure and can be used blended by airlines without requiring technical modification to their current fleet.

About Red Rock Biofuels

Red Rock Biofuels, based in Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.A., was founded in 2011 to tackle the escalating problem of catastrophic wildfire in the Western U.S. and the rapidly growing need for renewable, low- carbon jet and diesel fuels.  Red Rock is building the world’s first commercial-scale cellulosic biorefinery in Lakeview, Oregon, U.S.A., to convert waste woody biomass into SAF and cellulosic renewable diesel fuels.

About Shell Aviation

With one of the most extensive refuelling networks in the world, Shell Aviation supplies fuel, lubricants, and sustainable solutions in more than 60 countries. Customers range from the world’s largest airlines to private pilots.

Shell has an  ambition to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050 or sooner.