CSA Canadian Securities Administrators : Airbus, Air France, Safran, Suez and Total greet advancements in favor of a sustainable aviation biofuel industry in France

As the French Government presented the country's ambitions with regards to sustainable aviation biofuels, in Toulouse, Airbus, Air France, Safran, Suez and Total acknowledge the launch of a new Call for Expression of Interest (CEI). The ambition presented set forth the conclusions of a working group which included government agencies and industrial partners, all of whom signed Green Deal in December 2017.

This CEI is a fundamental first step towards the emergence of a sustainable aviation biofuel industry in France. It will allow investment projects in sustainable biofuel production units for second-generation aviation in France to be identified, as well as supportive measures and incentives in favor of such investments.

The implementation of an economically viable and lasting industry is key for accelerating the use of sustainable aviation biofuels and for reducing net CO₂ emissions in air transport. It must guarantee that all its players maintain a competitive edge in a competitive environment and help to lead the world forward.

For 18 months, industrial entities have been mobilizing and working alongside the government to promote the emergence of a sustainable aviation biofuel industry in France. The initiative constitutes the first innovative partnership between public and private players in the industry. It sets forth the conditions for developing lasting industries in France in the following set of recommendations:

• Mobilize the necessary volume of raw materials towards the aviation sector,
• Ensure that sustainable resources, especially sustainable resources sourced from the circular economy, are used to produce advanced biofuels,
• Ensure that the industry is economically viable for all actors in the value chain through appropriate incentive schemes,
• Use existing airport logistics distribution networks,
• Support and promote production diversification.

The expansion of sustainable aviation biofuels constitutes a strategic lever for reducing net CO₂ emissions from air transport over a full lifecycle by up to 80% unmixed.

Airbus, Air France, Safran, Suez and Total greet advancements in favor of a sustainable aviation biofuel industry in France.

From left to right: Guillaume Faury, CEO, Airbus; Elisabeth Borne, Minister of Ecological and Inclusive Transition, France; Ville Arhippainen, Head of Sales Western Europe, Airbus; Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, Secretary of State for Transport, France; Stéphane Cueille, Senior Executive VP and Chief Technology Officer, R&T and Innovation, Safran; Anne Rigail, CEO, Air France; Fabrice Rossignol, Senior Executive Vice President, SUEZ Recycling & Recovery France; Paul Mannes, Aviation Vice President, Total.

About Airbus

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2018, it generated revenues of € 64 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world's leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

About Air France

Air France, airline of French inspiration, with high standards and a caring attitude, turns the flight into a moment of real pleasure on all its daily operations in France, Europe and worldwide.

Air France-KLM is the leading Group in terms of international traffic on departure from Europe. It offers its customers access to a network covering 312 destinations in 116 countries thanks to Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Transavia. With a fleet of 554 aircraft and 104 million passengers carried in 2019, Air France-KLM operates up to 2,300 daily flights, mainly from its hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol.

Its Flying Blue loyalty program is one of the leaders in Europe with over 15 million members.

Together with its partners Delta Air Lines and Alitalia, Air France and KLM operates the largest transatlantic joint venture with more than 275 daily flights.

The group also offers cargo transport and aeronautical maintenance solutions.

Air France and KLM are also members of the SkyTeam alliance which has 19 member airlines, offering customers access to a global network of over 14,500 daily flights to more than 1,150 destinations in more than 175 countries.

About Safran

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aircraft propulsion and equipment, space and defense markets. Safran has a global presence, with more than 95,000 employees and sales of 21 billion euros in 2018. Working alone or in partnership, Safran holds world or European leadership positions in its core markets. Safran undertakes Research & Development programs to meet fast-changing market requirements, with total R&D expenditures of around 1.5 billion euros in 2018.

Safran is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange, and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices

For more information: www.safran-group.com / Follow @Safran on Twitter

About Suez

With 90,000 people on the five continents, SUEZ is a world leader in smart and sustainable resource management. We provide water and waste management solutions that enable cities and industries optimize their resource management and strengthen their environmental and economic performances, in line with regulatory standards. With the full potential of digital technologies and innovative solutions, the Group treats over 45 million tons of waste a year, produces 4.4 million tons of secondary raw materials and 7.7 TWh of local renewable energy. It also secures water resources, delivering wastewater treatment services to 66 million people and reusing 1.1 billion m3 of wastewater. SUEZ generated total revenues of 17.3 billion euros in 2018.

About Total

Total is a major energy player that produces and markets fuels, natural gas and low-carbon electricity. Our 100,000 employees are committed to better energy that is safer, more affordable, cleaner and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, our ambition is to become the responsible energy major.

Green Deals are initiatives sponsored by the Ministry for an Ecological and Solidary Transition in order to help those carrying out innovative projects which involve the environment and economics, and which contribute to the ecological transition.