Scalable Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production in Israel
Arava Fuels is developing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Israel based on proprietary seed technology refined over 20-plus years. With 7 optimized seed variants and 4 potential biomass-to-SAF pathways, the company is working to identify the strongest route for scalable SAF production targeting roughly $100 per barrel.
Evaluating the Strongest Pathway for Israel
AravaFuels is evaluating multiple seed varieties and biomass-to-SAF pathways to determine the most commercially viable route for Sustainable Aviation Fuel production in Israel. Through pilot programs, we will measure cultivation requirements, water use, yield performance, oil production, and co-product value streams to identify the strongest pathway for future commercial deployment.
What We Need to Prove
Key pilot objectives include:
- Identify the most suitable regions in Israel for cultivation.
- Evaluate selected seed varieties under real Israeli conditions.
- Measure biomass, seed, and oil yield performance.
- Compare potential SAF production pathways.
- Collect the technical and economic data required for commercial modelling.
The goal is to establish the foundation for a scalable Israeli SAF feedstock platform capable of supporting future Sustainable Aviation Fuel production and related co-products.
Experienced Leadership
AravaFuels is led by senior renewable energy professionals with international project experience in solar, biomass, and sustainable fuels.
Yosef Abramowitz is a leading figure in the Israeli renewable energy sector with a strong track record in developing and financing large scale projects. As co founder of Arava Power & Gigawatt Global he has led landmark utility scale solar developments in Israel and emerging markets including multiple projects across Africa. He brings deep experience in project development, investor alignment, and navigating regulatory environments, making him a key driver in scaling renewable energy infrastructure. He served as an Ambassador and judge for Israel's Climate Solutions Prize.
David Sonnenberg is a biomass-to-energy expert with over 25 years of experience developing large-scale renewable energy projects. He has worked in more than 60 countries converting biomass into fuels and power. He played a key role in D1 Oils (biodiesel) and Helius Energy (biomass power), and contributed to the BioJet fuel used by Boeing in a renewable aviation test flight in 2008. As CEO of Uhuru Energy, he leads the development of integrated projects that convert biomass into fuels, gas, and electricity.