The SAF Podcast

SAF Investor
  • 4.0 (2)
  • Aviation
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The SAF Podcast, the only podcast on the internet that exclusively covers sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). So if you want to find out the real issues and challenges are for commercialising and scaling SAF production, look no further.Every week we will be hearing from senior industry leaders who are actively shaping the future of SAF and aviation.  Hosted by Oscar Henderson and brought to you by the team at SAF Investor. Connect with us at www.safinvestor.com

  1. 3d ago

    Dan Sutton, Syntholene: Building on a volcano and betting on geothermal

    In this episode, we sit down with Dan Sutton, CEO and co-founder of Syntholene, to explore their geothermally integrated synthetic fuel production technology currently being developed in Iceland. Dan explains why geothermal energy is such a compelling foundation for eSAF production, how Syntholene's solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) technology — integrated with Iceland's abundant heat and electricity — creates a step-change in hydrogen cost reduction, and why the company believes it can achieve unit economics competitive with fossil fuels without relying on perpetual subsidies.  We also explore the independent feasibility study conducted by notable alternative fuels sceptic Robert Rapier, whose findings validated Syntholene's scientific fundamentals while identifying the integration and construction risks that Dan openly acknowledges — and explains how his team is managing them. The conversation broadens into project development philosophy, the replicability of the Iceland model in geothermally active regions globally and how you manage earthquake and volcano risk, Iceland's strikingly low-bureaucracy environment for infrastructure permitting, and a frank debate on whether European eSAF policy is addressing the real problem — or papering over a fundamental unit economics challenge. We close with Syntholene's unconventional but deliberate choice to go public on the TSX Venture Exchange — and why Dan believes building in public, with a diversified investor base, gives the company more control over its destiny than the traditional venture capital route.

    1 hr

  2. Jun 3

    Mikala Grubb, Topsoe: The 100th episode and tech behind a third of the world's SAF

    For the 100th episode of The SAF Podcast, we're joined by Mikala Grubb, Senior Vice President of Technologies, Topsoe — one of the world's leading catalysis and technology companies, whose technology produces an estimated third of all the SAF available globally today. We start with feedstocks — why the constraints on used cooking oil and animal fats are tightening, what a post-2030 feedstock crunch could look like, and which next-generation feedstock options (from intermediate crops and municipal solid waste to tire-derived feedstocks) are genuinely gaining traction versus those still some way from commercial reality. We then turn to technology: how Topsoe's HydroFlex HEFA technology became the commercial backbone of today's SAF industry, the role co-processing can play as a pragmatic stepping stone, and why Mikala's advice to developers facing ASTM certification delays is simple — start with renewable diesel and switch when certified. We also explore the ESAF pathway, the importance of the Topsoe-DLR-Sasol demonstration plant currently under construction, and why Topsoe is ready to sign full commercial-scale ESAF contracts today. Throughout, a clear theme emerges: successful SAF projects are built on feedstock security, offtake certainty, the right partner ecosystem, and a willingness to be pragmatic.  Happy 100th, The SAF Podcast. Thank you to all the guests we have had over the last 100 episodes and to everyone that has listened!

    49 min

  3. May 27

    Adam Forsyth, Longspur Capital: Khaki is the new green

    Adam Forsyth, founder of Longspur Capital joins for the latest episode of The SAF Podcast. A leading voice in clean energy investment, we explore how sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) fits into the broader energy transition — and what it will take to unlock the capital needed to scale it. Adam draws on decades of experience across equity research, corporate finance, and clean energy advisory to unpack the structural financing challenges unique to SAF: the offtake mismatch, the difficulty of securing long-term airline contracts, and why the "alignment problem" is one of the biggest barriers to reaching final investment decision on advanced fuel projects. We explore how geopolitical shifts — particularly the fracturing of the post-WWII trade consensus — are reshaping energy investment, introducing a "security premium" that may, in some ways, work in SAF's favour. We also discuss the evolving role of carbon dioxide removal credits, the lessons SAF developers can draw from analogous sectors like grid-scale batteries and green hydrogen, and why the UK's Contract for Difference model offers a potentially powerful template for SAF policy support. From the prospects of HEFA feedstock constraints and eSAF economics, this is a wide-ranging conversation for anyone working at the intersection of clean energy finance and aviation decarbonisation.

    54 min

  4. May 20

    Alasdair Lumsden, Carbon Neutral Fuels: Ctrl C, Ctrl V-ing future of eSAF

    In this episode, we sit down with Alasdair Lumsden, co-founder of Carbon Neutral Fuels, to explore how taking a screwdriver to a VCR led to his time in tech entrepreneurship, which eventually ended up in the world of sustainable aviation fuel.  Alasdair walks us through the company's Power-to-Liquid e-SAF project, Project Starling — a commercial-scale facility planned for Workington, Cumbria, targeting 25,000 tonnes per year of SAF by 2031. We dig into the nuts and bolts of CNF's technology stack — solid oxide electrolysis (with Topsoe), Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (Johnson Matthey's FT CANS process), and upgrading technology (Honeywell UOP) — and how CNF is integrating waste heat recovery to improve efficiency and unit economics.  Alasdair also explains the decision to skip the demo phase and go straight to commercial scale, why their CO2 sourcing strategy shifted from 100% direct air capture to a mix of biogenic sources, and how they secured a 2031 grid connection date by choosing Cumbria over more traditional industrial sites. On the commercial side, Alasdair discusses how CNF has raised over £11 million to date — including £7.4 million from the UK Advanced Fuels Fund across two rounds — and is now mid-way through a £24 million Series A, targeting patient capital and strategic investors.  We also cover offtake strategy, the Revenue Certainty Mechanism, the hydrogen policy disconnect, and why Alasdair sees the UK's DFT as a genuine competitive advantage for SAF developers looking to de-risk before expanding internationally.

    1 hr

  5. May 14

    Vinesh Sinha, Fathopes Energy: Revolutionising glorified rubbish collection

    This week's episode sees Vinesh Sinha, CEO, FatHopes Energy, joins Oscar Henderson for a conversation on the SAF Podcast.  Vinesh Sinha dropped out of university in 2007, inspired by a Top Gear episode, and built FatHopes Energy into one of Southeast Asia's most sophisticated sustainable fuel feedstock operations — with a digital traceability platform years ahead of the competition. In this episode, Vinesh talks feedstock aggregation, the realities of scaling a waste-oil supply chain across Southeast Asia, and why FatHopes Energy is now moving into SAF refining with a 300,000-tonne greenfield plant targeting operations by 2030.  Plus: the truth about POME and palm oil, why AI is the only way to solve traceability at scale, and why Vinesh thinks the SAF industry is dangerously underestimating three things — feedstock, infrastructure, and integrity. This is a wide ranging conversation and one that digs into the critical components that is helping build Malaysia as a SAF global hub. Check out the full episode on your favourite platforms or use the link in the comments.

    1h 5m

  6. May 7

    Shubhda Kaushik, Alternative Energy Company: Bankability and The Decisive Decade

    In this episode of The SAF Podcast, Oscar is joined by Shubhda Kaushik, managing director & chief executive officer, Alternative Energy Company, to explore what it really takes to move sustainable aviation fuel projects from ambition to final investment decision. Drawing on experience at Standard Chartered, Bain and McKinsey and Maersk, giving her a rounded perspective across finance, strategy and commercial practicality. Shubhda explains why capital for energy transition projects is not scarce, but selective — and why bankability must be built in from day zero. The conversation also dives into Shubhda’s new book, The Decisive Decade - 2026 Volume I: A Practitioner's Manual - What will it take to win on bankability in the next phase of energy transition. We explore the core bankability framework behind it: revenue certainty, infrastructure access, execution capability and risk allocation.  This is just volume I, so if you enjoyed this stay tuned for volume II for a check in on the energy transition's progress. This is a practical discussion for SAF producers, airlines, investors, lenders and anyone trying to understand why so many projects look promising on paper but struggle to reach financial close. This episode gives you a great introduction to what is explain at length in the book, which you can find here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Decisive-Decade-Practitioners-bankability-transition/dp/B0GZHQR25T/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3MEKZBXCEA3ZB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ikEBk10suF88vWdw1KH_CcBNnz9j6PniHNHHDWsie_fENicXTm3b2WClyMPMQ4pLvgKL6EJah0NMTppyB8GMRvqW_nJ3SG99vgYueNEUz1I.rZjcjiPvwirmc57l23MD1XG5HYaUI2osS2EXQErFT6I&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+decisive+decade&qid=1778142508&sprefix=the+decisive+decad%2Caps%2C293&sr=8-1

    45 min

  7. Apr 15

    Noaman Al Adhami, Alfanar Projects: Lighting the way for 2G SAF

    Noaman Al Adhami, UK Country Head at Alfanar Projects, is this week's guest on The SAF Podcast.  He joins Oscar for a discussion into Lighthouse Green Fuels — one of the UK’s most closely watched sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) projects. We begin by looking at why Alfanar chose to initially focus SAF production in the UK and the decisions around site selection. We then explore what it takes to develop a second-generation SAF project at scale, including the gasification and FT-SPK pathway, feedstock selection, carbon capture, project financing, and the role of the UK SAF mandate in creating the right conditions for investment.  Noaman also explains why Alfanar is starting with biomass and agricultural residues, how the project could evolve towards more challenging waste feedstocks, the ongoing Carbon Capture application they have recently submitted and how the project has been financed to this point and future plans for financing project construction. If you want to understand the real-world challenges of scaling advanced SAF production in the UK, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. There is still time to submit your applications for the SAF Investor Deal of the Year Awards, we would love to hear from you about any financing deals that have taken place over the past year, your application can be submitted here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwrzV8VN8oqA6c-e0GMlgZmttTQ-U-1D9XxnOgeeQV-ITeiQ/viewform?usp=header

    54 min

  8. Apr 8

    Patrick Sieb, Climate Tech Partners: Getting into the weeds of VC due diligence and corporate partnerships

    In this episode of The SAF Podcast, Oscar is joined by Patrick Sieb, Managing Partner at Climate Tech Partners, for a conversation on what it really takes to finance and scale sustainable aviation fuel. From Series A climate tech investing to corporate-startup partnerships and the infrastructure challenges behind SAF production, Patrick shares a practical investor’s view on how promising technologies can move from early traction to commercial deployment. Climate Tech Partners investment model is based on deep due diligence, originating from his time a Macquarie, with focus in Transport, Energy and Mining sectors.  We dive into a variety of topics including: How Climate Tech Partners approaches Series A climate tech investing and why that stage can be critical for SAF and other capital-intensive technologiesWhy bridging the “valley of death” remains one of the biggest challenges for deep tech and aviation decarbonisation startupsHow corporate relationships can help de-risk investments, including Climate Tech Partners’ work with Qantas and AirbusThe practicalities of running a VC fund, raising capital from LPs and portfolio diversificationWhat the dedicated sidecar investment vehicle means for aviation-focused climate technologies and SAF-related opportunitiesWhy SAF scale-up depends on much more than strong technology, including the role of feedstock, infrastructure, energy and financingWhat investors are really looking for when assessing techno-economics, commercial traction and science riskWhy climate tech is shifting from “moonshot” narratives to more pragmatic pathways focused on cost parity and bankabilityHow Australia and the wider APAC region could fit into the future of sustainable aviation fuel production and aviation decarbonisationAlso another reminder that we are still accepting applications for the SAF Investor Deal of the Year awards. If you worked on a deal we would love for you to submit it via the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwrzV8VN8oqA6c-e0GMlgZmttTQ-U-1D9XxnOgeeQV-ITeiQ/viewform?usp=header

    48 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to The SAF Podcast, the only podcast on the internet that exclusively covers sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). So if you want to find out the real issues and challenges are for commercialising and scaling SAF production, look no further.Every week we will be hearing from senior industry leaders who are actively shaping the future of SAF and aviation.  Hosted by Oscar Henderson and brought to you by the team at SAF Investor. Connect with us at www.safinvestor.com

Information

  • Creator
    SAF Investor
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The SAF Podcast
  • Show Website
    The SAF Podcast

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