By Graham Beck, Innovation Funding Consultant at ABGi
 
When it comes to sustainable aviation, most conversations drift towards battery-powered aircraft or futuristic hydrogen engines. But a more grounded solution—quite literally—is quietly taking off, and it’s one you might not expect: jet fuel made from sewage sludge.
 
Yes, you read that right.
 
A new demonstrator plant is underway in the UK that aims to convert human waste into low-carbon jet fuel. It’s an unusual yet promising development, and one that combines existing engineering processes into a highly efficient, sustainable system.
 

What’s actually happening?

 
The project focuses on creating sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using biogenic feedstock—specifically, sewage sludge collected from wastewater treatment facilities. In the UK alone, around 53 million tonnes of untreated sewage sludge are collected each year. Rather than sending that to landfill or low-grade uses, this project uses it as the starting point for a completely new type of aviation fuel.
 
What makes this approach stand out is its integration of known technologies into a viable industrial process. The feedstock is:

• Biogenic (meaning it comes from organic sources),
• Fossil carbon-free,
• Non-competitive with food production,
• Free from deforestation concerns, and
• Locally sourced—reducing reliance on long, high-emission supply chains.

Why it matters for aviation

The aviation sector is under increasing pressure to decarbonise, but current solutions like electric propulsion and hydrogen fuels are still years away from being commercially viable at scale. In the meantime, aircraft still need liquid fuels—but ideally ones that don’t contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

That’s what makes sludge-based SAF so compelling. It’s a liquid hydrocarbon fuel that works with today’s engines and infrastructure—no need for expensive aircraft modifications or airport overhauls.

 
This means:

• Faster implementation,
• Lower costs,
• And real, measurable carbon savings in the short term.

Engineering-led innovation at its best

This project is a prime example of how engineering expertise can bring together existing technologies in a novel way to tackle global challenges. By leveraging waste streams and adapting proven industrial methods, it offers a scalable and commercially viable way to help aviation reduce its carbon footprint—without waiting decades for new tech to mature.

Talk to us

Understanding how existing technologies are applied in new ways is central to identifying qualifying R&D activity. At ABGi UK, our team includes experienced engineers like Graham Beck—who brings 17+ years of industry knowledge across nuclear, oil and gas, construction and water treatment—to the table when assessing your technical projects.

If your team is working on innovation like this—grounded in engineering insight but pushing into new territory—we can help ensure it’s recognised and properly documented in your claim.