News
Published on 22/11/2024
EU-Japan Collaboration Drives Sustainable Fuel Innovation
On November 8th, 2024, the 4AirCRAFT consortium, in collaboration with the LAURELIN and ORACLE projects, hosted the 2nd EU-Japan Research Cluster Workshop in Brussels. This event brought together leading experts from Europe and Japan to discuss the latest advancements in sustainable fuel production.
Opening Remarks and Keynote Speeches The workshop was opened by Peter Petrov, Deputy Head of Unit - Horizon Europe Energy, European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Energy. He emphasized the critical role of innovation in addressing climate change and highlighted the importance of international collaboration.
Thomas Schleker, from DG RTD, discussed the EU's R&I strategy and its support for projects like 4AirCRAFT. He emphasized the need for innovative solutions to decarbonize the transport sector and the potential of advanced biofuels to contribute to this goal.
Project Presentations
Representatives from the three projects - 4AirCRAFT, LAURELIN, and ORACLE - presented their latest findings and achievements. 4AirCRAFT: This project focuses on developing novel catalysts and reactor designs for the direct conversion of CO2 into sustainable aviation fuels. LAURELIN: This project aims to develop advanced catalysts and reactors for the production of renewable fuels from biomass and CO2. ORACLE: This project explores innovative approaches to electrifying the ammonia production process, reducing its carbon footprint.
Collaboration and commitment to success
The 4AirCRAFT consortium was united and committed to moving forward efficiently and effectively during the remaining year of the project. The close collaboration between the partners and the dedication of each team are key elements in achieving the set objectives and successfully completing the project.
The workshop featured three panel discussions:
Sustainable Synthesis of Fuels: This panel discussed the challenges and opportunities in developing sustainable fuel production technologies, including the role of catalysts and reactor design. Catalyst Design Strategies: This panel focused on the design and development of novel catalysts for key reactions in sustainable fuel production. Prospective Validation of Novel Technologies: This panel explored the transition from laboratory-scale research to commercial applications, including issues related to scaling up and process optimization.
The 2nd EU-Japan Research Cluster Workshop was a success, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among researchers from both continents. The presentations and discussions highlighted the significant progress made by the three projects and the potential for future breakthroughs in sustainable fuel production.
Published on 23/10/2024
2nd EU-Japan research Cluster Workshop: New production methods of synthetic fuels for a de-carbonised economy
Welcome to the 2nd EU-Japan Research Cluster Workshop! Join us on Fri Nov 08 2024 at 09:30 at the Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Cientificas in Brussels, Belgium, for a day filled with exciting discussions and networking opportunities.
The 4AirCRAFT Consortium organises this Cluster event with support of Laurelin and ORACLE projects to meet and exchange knowledge about new production methods of synthetic fuels for a de-carbonised economy. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and expand your research network. See you there!
Please note: This is an in-person event with possibility to follow online through a livestream setting.
Published on 01/07/2024
4AirCRAFT: Progress and next steps one year before the end of the project
The 4AirCRAFT project consortium met at Bielefeld University to discuss the progress made and the remaining actions to be taken in the remaining year of the project.
With the core part of the basic and materials research focused on CO2 electrolysis already completed, the current focus is on the testing of the selected catalysts and materials to carry out the proof of concept.
Fruitful meeting for the future of the project
During the meeting, the consortium partners shared their latest results and findings, assessing the overall progress of the project and defining strategies to address the remaining tasks in the remaining time.
A crucial year for proof of concept
The coming months will be mainly devoted to the thorough testing of the selected catalysts and materials, with the aim of validating their performance and optimising their operation in the context of CO2 electrolysis. This critical phase will lay the groundwork for the final proof of concept, which will demonstrate the feasibility and potential of the technology developed by the 4AirCRAFT project.
Collaboration and commitment to success
The 4AirCRAFT consortium was united and committed to moving forward efficiently and effectively during the remaining year of the project. The close collaboration between the partners and the dedication of each team are key elements in achieving the set objectives and successfully completing the project.
A step in the sustainable aviation fuels production
The final straight begins to carry out the proof of concept of the cascade reactor for the production of synthetic aviation fuels. In this last part, the modules that have been investigated throughout the project will be tested in order to see their final behaviour in cascade. The coming months will be decisive to pave the way towards the novel strategy of the 4AirCRAFT project for the sustainable liquid fuels production.
Published on 07/11/2023
EU-Japan research Cluster event: New e-fuel production methods for sustainable transport
On 22 November 2023, the LAURELIN Consortium in cooperation with 4AirCRAFT and Oracle will organise an EU-Japan research Cluster event on "new e-fuel production methods for sustainable transport".
Wednesday 22 November – 8:30 – 16:00 (UTC/GMT + 9hours) University of Tokyo: Hongo Campus
The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and Japan’s Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (SICORP) under the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) have funded three joint research projects on advanced biofuels and alternative renewable fuels for transport: LAURELIN, 4AirCRAFT, and ORACLE.
The LAURELIN Consortium organises this Cluster event for the researchers of these three research projects to meet and exchange about their knowledge and findings. Presentations will be held by project representatives and representatives of other projects cooperating with Japan on advanced biofuels and alternative renewable fuels (4AirCRAFT & ORACLE).
Please note: This is an in-person event with possibility to follow online through a livestream setting.
Additionally, round table discussions will be held on Catalysts, e-Fuels and New generation of chemical reactors.
Click here to read the agenda
Click here to register for the event
LAURELIN has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101022507. The research project is also supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) under the SICORP program.
Published on 02/06/2023
4AirCRAFT moves into its second year of development
The 4AirCraft project has reached the midterm of its development. In the midterm, all the corresponding justifications have been made to the funding bodies (European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme) and the management has been approved. In addition, the mid-term objectives have been achieved.
What results have been obtained during the first year of the project?
During these two years, we have been investigating biocatalysts, inorganic nanocatalysts, electrocatalysts, as well as materials suitable for controlled spatial distribution. The aim is to produce synthetic aviation fuels from CO2 and renewable hydrogen under milder operating conditions (pressure and temperature) than those currently available on the market.
As explained in the project goal: "The project aims to develop innovative technology for the direct conversion of CO2 to C8-C16 under much milder and greener conditions as compared to conventional synthesis routes. This will be achieved through the cooperative development, validation and exploitation of the rational design of catalytic materials and its environment tuning".
What progress is expected for the second year?
For this second year, the proof of concept of the cascade reactor that has been designed in 4AirCRAFT is expected to be carried out. This proof of concept is intended to verify that these materials/design work properly and in sync with the operating conditions planned. In addition, further studies will be carried out to validate the investigated technology.
What will the partners develop during the second year?
During the second year, the partners will continue their research on obtaining materials that have very good characteristics to be operated in the cascade reactor based on the feedback they receive from the proof of concept.
In the end, with projects like 4AirCRAFT, we will be able to obtain a technology that will reduce overall CO2 emissions by creating a closed carbon fuel cycle contributing to a circular economy and the replacement of fossil fuels.
Published on 20/05/2023
Consortium meeting
On May 8th the fifth Project Steering Committee took place online to share the developments during the last three months and discuss critical topics for the proof-of-concept.
Follow-up progress after two years of work was revised. EU-Japan-Brazil joint cooperation provided productive discussions. 4AirCRAFT researchers will share some of the latest results in the upcoming events: ICCDU23 (https://www.iccdu2023.com/), Operando VII Congress (https://indico.psi.ch/event/8358/), IMC20 (https://www.imc20.kr/), Congress of the Physical Chemistry Division of Italy (https://www.soc.chim.it/it/node/3059) and more.
Published on 07/07/2022
4AirCRAFT 5th Consortium meeting: First F2F meeting in Spain after the pandemic
On June 30th and July 1st, the fifth Consortium Meeting took place in Huesca. The meeting was organised by Aragon Hydrogen Foundation.
4AirCRAFT representatives from Hokkaido University, Torino University, CSIC (INMA and ICV) and Aragon Hydrogen Foundation had the opportunity to meet by first time in person. Representatives from Bielefeld University, Helsinki University, Antwerpen University, Sao Paulo University and BCMaterials had the opportunity to join remotely. Progress and upcoming project activities mainly in the area of catalyst development and catalyst carriers innovation were discussed. Moreover, on this 4th edition, two satellite working groups were organised to further discussion of the key exploitable results.
Following two intensive days of fruitful discussions and deep interaction by the different work packages, suggestions to achieve the project activities successfully, maximize project findings impact and exploit new potential research achievements were discussed.
We thank to all the participants for their contributions to this F2F event in Huesca and look forward to meeting again very soon!
Published on 01/07/2022
We participated in 23rd Word Hydrogen Conference!
Last 26th to 30th June we attended the 23rd World Hydrogen Conference (WHEC) in Istanbul in which we participated virtually.
WHEC is an excellent event to enhance the research activities in the field of hydrogen energy systems for a sustainable future. Here, the first results on catalyst carriers developments, biocatalyst and nanocatalyst were presented.
Published on 14/06/2022
First face-to-face meeting!
On June 8 the first face-to-face meeting of the project was organised. A bilateral meeting the Aragon Hydrogen Foundation, CSIC/INMA and CSIC/ICV was performed in the CSIC facilities in Madrid (Spain). The aim of the meeting was to clarify ant to establish the conditions for the different strategies of the project, in relation to the design of the test bench for the proof of concept to be carried out by FHa.
Published on 19/05/2022
At the European Hydrogen Energy Congress
On May 18-20 2022, the European Hydrogen Energy Congress (EHEC) will be held in Madrid (Spain), organised by the Spanish Hydrogen Association (AeH2). It provides an excellent framework for showcase advances in hydrogen R&D projects and technologies, covering the entire hydrogen value chain. EHEC 2022 hosted a wide range of scientific, technological and strategic sessions such as plenary sessions, parallel sessions and poster presentations, as well as a trade fair.
Our researcher Javier Sanchez from the Foundation for the Development of New Hydrogen Technologies of Aragon (FHa) participated in a parallel session "Hybrid catalyst for the direct CO2 and H2 conversion into jet fuels" in the framework of Aerospace Applications.
Published on 18/04/2022
4AirCRAFT at Catalysis at the Energy-Chemistry Nexus – 2022 Winter School
On March 14-18 2022 the Catalysis at the Energy-Chemistry Nexus - 2022 Winter School took place in Aussois (France). This school proposed to set the basis of a roadmap for catalysis to support a society powered by renewable energies through the prism of 5 pivotal molecules that are at the roots of many current production processes: Methane, Hydrogen, Carbon dioxide, Ammonia, Polyolefin and biopolymers.
The PhD student of the University of Torino, Margherita Cavallo, participated at this school with a poster whose title was “From CO2 capture and storage to its conversion in sustainable fuels” focused on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) strategies. The 4AirCRAFT project was presented as an example for development of CCU technologies.
Published on 01/04/2022
We met our external advisory board! – OPEN TO NEWCOMERS!!
To support the work of the 4AirCRAFT consortium, an External Advisory Board is established.
Our first Panel Meeting was held on the 18th of March. Key project activities and key molecules able to be synthesized in the frame of 4AirCRAFT were discussed. The task of the external experts is to monitor adherence of project outcomes to the needs of different sector and to facilitate industry application.
The EAB supported through knowledge exchange of best practices, shared challenges and experiences with implementing and utilizing the technological developments. The fruitful discussions advised the 4AirCRAFT Consortium regarding the project progress and scientific direction helping for identifying and pursuing exploitation strategies.
If you are part of hard-to-abate sectors, fuel certificators, CO2 emitters, large consumers of long-chain hydrocarbons, chemical industry and sustainable fuels producers, etc… and you are interested in cooperating with our project, do not hesitate to become an External Advisor. Please send your request to 4aircraft@hidrogenoaragon.org
Published on 22/03/2022
Meeting progress and Session Group on Exploitation of Key Results
On 14 February 2022, all 4AirCRAFT partners met virtually to report on the main results obtained since the beginning of the project. It was a very productive meeting where important progress was made, with clear agreements being reached regarding the next working months.
On the following two days, 15 and 16 February, the partners also discussed the key exploitable results and the best strategy to follow up.
Published on 08/03/2022
Next External Advisory Board Meeting
The next 18th of March will take place the online meeting with our External Advisors. If you are part of hard-to-abate sectors, CO2 emitters, large consumers of long-chain hydrocarbons, sustainable fuels producers including certificators, chemical industry and sustainable fuels producers, etc… and you are interested in cooperating with our project, do not hesitate to become an External Advisor. Please send your request to
You will be kept up to date with the latest news on the project, as well as the latest findings. You will have access to the reports before they are made public, you will be regularly informed of upcoming events (workshops, conferences, fairs, etc.); you will be able to participate in workshops; and you will have access to meetings (once a year) with our research team.
Don't miss it!
Published on 25/02/2022
RENMAD Hydrogen 2022
Last February 24th, the pre-doctoral researcher of the Aragon Hydrogen Foundation, Eduardo Bernad, participated in the RENMAD Hydrogen Fair held in Zaragoza (Spain). It brought together the main entrepreneurs of the hydrogen sector in Spain to contribute to the development of the Hydrogen Roadmap. Our researcher presented the 4AirCRAFT project, which seeks an alternative for the de-fossilisation of the aviation sector, whose purpose is the production of aviation fuels from renewable hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
Published on 11/02/2022
We participated in the Kerogreen Winter School!
On February 10th, Dr Vanesa Gil, our project coordinator, attended the Kerogreen Winter School where she presented our ambitious project, Air Carbon Recycling for Aviation Fuel Technology. The event hosted researchers whith high scientific quality who presented their latest advancement in the field of the development of new technology for greener and more sustainable aviation fuel generation.
Published on 07/02/2022
KEROGREEN Winter School
The Kerogreen Project organises its winter course "Future directions in research on Power-to-X for sustainable chemicals & fuels" which will take place on 10 and 11 February, online. This event will discuss the latest developments based on Power-to-X technology and their future perspective. On the 10th of February Dr. Vanesa Gil, our project coordinator, will have the opportunity to present 4AirCRAFT project. To register and get more information click on the link.
Don't miss it!
Published on 11/12/2021
European Research Days in Japan
Carolina Rosero participated in EUROPEAN RESEARCH DAYS - European Researchers in Japan: Achievements and Opportunities. She had the opportunity to introduce her work and research efforts at Hokkaido University focused on inorganic materials for green energy storage and generation. On that occasion, her role as a member of the 4Aircraft Project was highlighted. She described the general goal of the project and discuss the vision of the project for future sustainable and clean aviation fuels technology.
Published on 26/11/2021
Second project meeting
Today, 26 November 2021, the 2nd Project Meeting (PSC#2) was held for the international project 4AirCRAFT. The progress on electro-, chemo- & bio-catalysts along catalyst carriers developments were discussed. 2022 will be a key year for alternative jet fuel production.
Published on 26/09/2021
4AirCRAFT at the European Researchers' Night
The European Researchers’ Night took place on the 24th and 25th September 2021 as a public event in the biggest European cities, introducing citizens to the world of scientific research and its impact on everyday life. For that occasion, the University of Torino organized in the week before some online lessons for middle-high school students, to talk about specific ongoing research activities in a simple and didactic way.
The Department of Chemistry took part to this initiative organising several lessons and practical exercises, one of them focused on transforming CO2 from a problem to a resource. During that activity the 4AirCRAFT project was presented, as an example for the conversion of CO2 into useful compounds such as fuels. The students were also guided in carrying out some simple experiments on CO2 formation (inflating coloured balloons) and its transformation (precipitating as a carbonate into a Ca(OH)2 solution). An online quiz correlated the didactic presentation to stimulate the interest of the students on the topic and to help the interaction with them.
Published on 24/09/2021
Workshop Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) & Alternative Fuels
H2020 CLUSTER WORKSHOP
Online on 23/24th September 2021 organized by CINEA. The project coordinator presented 4AirCRAFT at the Workshop of H2020 Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) & Alternative Fuels projects.
The project organized by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) aimed to bring together H2020 projects from the same field, providing the best platform for discussion about main challenges, sharing main findings and strengthen networking.
Day 1 was focussed on presenting EU Policies and Funding Opportunities and Policy-Near Actions. Followed by an open discussion about concrete ways by which EU projects can made meaningful contribution to EU Policy in the context of the Green Deal.
The second part of the Day 1 was devoted to the Research and Innovation Actions that are currently managed by CINEA. 23 projects and 70 individuals participated in this life interaction of CCUS and CO2 and H2; alternative fuel projects.Day 2 was entirely focused to identify, define and strength many synergies and cross-exchange activities and ideas.
Published on 7/09/2021
Significant EU-Japan Horizon 2020 cooperation and investment in alternative renewable fuels
The Winning Projects: Horizon2020 SICORP Biofuel & Alternative fuel call were presented at an online event organized by EURAXESS Japan on 7 September 2021.
The Joint Japan-EU webinar showcased the three projects that have secured support from both the Horizon 2020 Framework Program and The Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) through its Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (SICORP).
The projects stem from the H2020 Energy call on “Building a low-carbon, climate resilient future: secure, clean and efficient energy” (H2020-LC-SC3-2020-NZE-RES-CC) with a topic targeted on International cooperation with Japan for Research and Innovation on advanced biofuels and alternative renewable fuels (LC-SC3-RES-25-2020 under the 2018-2020 Horizon 2020 Work Programme.
4AirCRAFT, LAURELIN, and ORACLE will receive €9.5 million from Horizon 2020 and approximately €1.2 million from Japan’s Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (SICORP) under the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).
Representatives from EURAXESS Japan (country representative) and Japan Science and Technology Agency (Manager of Department of International Affairs at JST) opened the event. After the projects were presented by principal investigators from both, EU and Japan side, the event was closed by a representative from the General Directorate of Research and Innovation, European Commission.
Published on 27/05/2021
Kick-off!!
On 27 May 2021, a virtual Kick-off meeting was held for the new International project 4AirCRAFT (Air Carbon Recycling for Aviation Fuel Technology). 4AirCRAFT is a research project within the framework of EU-Japan Horizon 2020 cooperation and investment in alternative renewable fuels. This project responds to the urgent need for low or net-zero emission fuels production in the growing market of air transportation.
The consortium is made up of worldwide leading research groups including pioneers in academic scientific and technical research, reference universities and research centers. It includes seven European partners, as well as one from Japan and one from Brazil. Worldwide companies from different sectors, including sustainable fuels production, are part of the 4AirCRAFT Advisory board.
During this event, the main issues foreseen to be worked on in the different work packages were presented and discussed with project partners and representatives from The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), Directorate-General Research and Innovation from European Commission (DG RTD) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).
