ATOBA Energy and Flying Forest agree biomass-based SAF offtake framework

ATOBA Energy and renewable fuel developer Flying Forest have signed a letter of intent setting out plans for a long-term sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) offtake agreement, supporting a proposed biomass-to-SAF project in Finland.
ATOBA Energy operates an aggregation platform designed to connect SAF producers with airline customers, while Flying Forest is developing a facility in Iisalmi, eastern Finland, that will convert forestry residues into aviation fuel.
The project is based on methanol-to-jet technology and is expected to produce up to 200,000 tonnes of SAF per year across three production lines, with scope for future expansion at nearby locations.
The plant will use locally sourced biomass, primarily wood waste from the forestry sector.
Flying Forest has secured supply arrangements with regional sawmills covering up to 3.75 million tonnes of sawmill by-products and non-commercial roundwood annually.
The company says this approach will strengthen supply security while supporting a circular economy by making use of materials with limited alternative value.
Paul Groves, chief executive of Flying Forest, said scaling SAF production depends on new commercial structures that meet the needs of both fuel producers and end users.
He added that working with ATOBA Energy would help create an ecosystem capable of attracting investment and accelerating the deployment of low-carbon aviation fuels.
The proposed agreement is intended to address a long-standing challenge in the SAF market, where producers typically require long-term offtake contracts to secure financing, while airlines look for flexibility and competitive pricing.
ATOBA Energy’s aggregation model is designed to balance these needs by pooling supply and demand.
Arnaud Namer, chief executive of ATOBA Energy, said Flying Forest’s technology enables cost-efficient conversion of biomass residues into aviation fuel.
He added that incorporating the project into ATOBA’s platform would provide airlines with greater price stability while offering Flying Forest the long-term commitments required to move towards a final investment decision.