Aramco, TotalEnergies, SIRC Mull Establishment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plant in Saudi Arabia

The collaboration seeks to leverage each company's expertise to develop an SAF plant in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom. SPA
The collaboration seeks to leverage each company's expertise to develop an SAF plant in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom. SPA
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Aramco, TotalEnergies, SIRC Mull Establishment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plant in Saudi Arabia

The collaboration seeks to leverage each company's expertise to develop an SAF plant in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom. SPA
The collaboration seeks to leverage each company's expertise to develop an SAF plant in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom. SPA

Saudi Aramco, TotalEnergies, and the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) have said they signed a joint development and cost-sharing agreement, aiming at evaluating the potential development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant in the Kingdom.
The announcement coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron's official visit to the Kingdom on Tuesday. The collaboration seeks to leverage each company's expertise to develop an SAF plant in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom.
The evaluation phase will focus on utilizing innovative engineering and technological solutions to recycle and process local waste or circular economy by-products, including cooking oils and animal fats, to produce SAF.
President and CEO of Saudi Aramco Amin Hassan Nasser pointed out that addressing aviation emissions through low-carbon alternatives has become imperative in light of the expected growth in air travel demand, highlighting the crucial role of mega global energy companies like Saudi Aramco and TotalEnergies.

"Addressing transportation emissions requires a wide range of approaches, and Aramco is committed to finding innovative solutions and contributing to global efforts to reduce emissions," he said.
Underlying the solid partnership between Saudi Aramco and TotalEnergies, Nasser said: "Our goal is to establish a sustainable aviation fuel plant in the Kingdom with SIRC, benefiting both domestic and international airlines, particularly as the tourism and aviation sectors expand."
Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies Patrick Pouyanné expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Saudi Aramco and SIRC to assess SAF production in the Kingdom. He also stressed the importance of advancing efforts to decarbonize air transport.
SIRC CEO Ziyad Al-Shiha noted that the partnership aligns with the company's commitment to supporting the ambitious sustainability goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, saying: "We are focusing on increasing waste-to-resource conversion rates, and this new collaboration with Saudi Aramco and TotalEnergies to assess the feasibility of a renewable aviation fuel plant is a significant step toward advancing the circular economy in the Kingdom."



Saudi Arabia Boosts Food Security

An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Boosts Food Security

An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
An agricultural farm in Saudi Arabia (SPA)

Saudi Arabia is accelerating efforts to strengthen food security, a strategic objective rooted in the Kingdom’s founding and shaped by its desert geography and limited water resources.

As part of its Vision 2030, the Kingdom has placed food security among its top priorities, implementing a national strategy to boost local production and promote long-term agricultural sustainability.

The agricultural sector’s contribution to GDP rose to SAR114 billion ($30.4 billion) in 2024, up from SAR109 billion ($29 billion) the previous year, according to the latest Vision 2030 annual report.

Government support, particularly through the Agricultural Development Fund, has fueled the sector’s growth. Agricultural loans increased by 54% between 2018 and 2024, reaching SAR5 billion ($1.33 billion).

Saudi Arabia has achieved higher self-sufficiency rates across several key products. Domestic production in 2024 included 2.95 million tons of fruit, 3.38 million tons of vegetables, 1.83 million tons of grains, 399,000 tons of eggs, 2.7 million tons of milk, 274,000 tons of red meat, 1.15 million tons of poultry, 217,000 tons of fish, and 8,500 tons of honey.

Aquaculture has seen significant growth, with fish production rising from 40,000 tons in 2016 to over 246,000 tons in 2024, driven by investments in sustainable technologies and marine projects. Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as an emerging regional hub for aquaculture.

The Kingdom’s progress reflects its long-term commitment to food security, supported by initiatives to enhance supply chains, stimulate private sector investment, and advance research and innovation in modern farming technologies. Authorities say the achievements so far signal Saudi Arabia’s ability to continue advancing toward self-sufficiency in a more resilient and sustainable agricultural environment.