As the world races toward net-zero goals, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) stands out as aviation’s most immediate and scalable decarbonization tool. While global players have dominated the SAF narrative in recent years, Israel is beginning to make quiet but meaningful strides.
Until recently, SAF remained more of a buzzword than a sector in the local innovation landscape. But in the past two years, the ecosystem has seen a burst of activity. A handful of startups are now pioneering technologies to produce, refine, and integrate alternative fuels—some in pilot stages, others advancing toward commercial-scale operations.
Following our previous issue, which explored the global landscape of SAF and sustainability in aviation, we now turn our attention to the growing ecosystem here in Israel. This article offers a closer look at several local companies developing technologies across the SAF value chain—from carbon capture and feedstock generation to synthetic fuel production.
While this is not a comprehensive map of the ecosystem, it highlights some of the most active and promising players working to position Israel on the global SAF stage. Each of these startups brings unique capabilities and technological depth, and several are already engaging with international partners or advancing toward commercialization.
NGV is developing a patented catalytic process to produce SAF from diverse feedstocks including biogas, CO2, municipal waste, and industrial gases. Their process eliminates costly operational units and reduces CAPEX and OPEX by over 25%, enabling smaller-scale facilities to become economically viable. Having completed a successful mini-pilot, NGV is now scaling up to a demonstration plant set to launch in 2026, with the goal of producing a barrel of SAF per day and reaching commercial deployment by 2030.
Naki-V is building a technology platform that transforms agricultural residues into bio-based renewable fuels. The company combines thermal decomposition with advanced purification, aiming to produce low-carbon, aviation-grade fuel from an abundant and underused source: agricultural waste. Their technology is designed for compatibility with European and U.S. sustainability mandates, and a pilot facility is underway in Israel.
Naki-V has begun forming strategic connections with global players in the biofuel and logistics sectors and is in early-stage discussions with airlines and airport operators abroad. While still in pre-commercial development, the team is focused on validating its solution with local partners and exploring certification pathways in both EU and U.S. markets.
Carbonade develops ultra-efficient electrochemical systems that convert captured CO₂ and H₂O into syngas—feeding directly into SAF and e-fuel production lines. Their modular electrolyzer design operates at room temperature, uses cost-effective materials, and saves up to 50% of the green hydrogen typically required. The technology is scalable, plug-in compatible with industrial infrastructure, and aims to reach SAF cost parity through U.S. and EU carbon credit schemes.
The company has successfully demonstrated its 5 cm² and 100 cm² electrolyzer stacks and is now preparing for pilot deployments in collaboration with industrial CO₂ emitters. With a scientific advisory team led by experts from the Weizmann Institute and strong IP protection, Carbonade is actively raising funding and building partnerships across energy, steel, and climate tech sectors.
Carbon Blue pioneers a water-based approach to carbon removal by extracting dissolved CO₂ directly from oceans, rivers, and wastewater systems. This Direct Water Capture method is more concentrated and energy-efficient than air-based methods, with added benefits of water treatment and mineral recovery. Their “Lime-Light” system produces high-purity CO₂ streams for reuse in SAF production and industrial applications—all powered by renewable energ.
Carbon Blue is currently piloting its solution with municipalities and water utilities in Israel and abroad, validating the performance of its CO₂ capture system under real-world conditions. The company collaborates with engineering partners on system integration and is in advanced talks with potential SAF producers for long-term CO₂ supply agreements.
This growing ecosystem is still in its early stages—but the momentum is real. As global aviation leans more heavily on SAF to meet its climate targets, Israel is positioning itself not just as a participant, but as a contributor of deep-tech innovation across the entire fuel lifecycle. With committed founders, world-class research, and increasing collaboration between companies, the road ahead looks promising—and Cockpit will continue to follow and support its development closely.
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