The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has committed to net zero by 2050 and the UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate, due to come into force in 2025, which mandates the use of 22% SAF by airlines by 2040. The UK alone will require 1.5 million tonnes of SAF by 2030 to comply with the mandate, and there is about a 350 million tonne requirement globally by 2050 to reach net zero. IATA estimates 65% of global emissions reduction from aviation will need to come from SAF.
Nova Pangaea Technologies (NPT) sustainably converts non-food biomass into second-generation ethanol and biochar using pyrolysis – heat alone – via a patented process called REFNOVA. The bioethanol is a critical precursor in the manufacture of SAF.
Patrick Smith is the Strategic Development Director at Nova Pangaea Technologies and recognises his role: “by its nature is ‘cross-functional’, and I want to learn how better to work without direct authority, gaining consensus, and an idea of shared accountability across the organisation for key goals.”
He sees that the Shott Scale Up Accelerator can help him to become “a more well-rounded leader, understanding my ‘blind-spots’, and [be] better able to flex and adapt to different personalities and working styles to support the development of the company.” The direct mentoring, coaching, and training within the Accelerator are all ways of helping Patrick to formalise his leadership ‘soft skills’.
NPT is at a crucial point in its history; on the cusp of commercialisation and growth. They will begin work on their first-of-a-kind commercial facility with the aim of reaching a Final Investment Decision and construction by Q4 2025. They will be growing and scaling the organisation significantly to support this, focusing on the UK for the next 6–12 months but with plans to expand internationally over the next few years.
