Why the Agreement Matters
DHL Express has signed a binding offtake contract with Finnish producer Neste for fifty million litres of Sustainable Aviation Fuel delivered during 2026. By arranging supply ahead of the ReFuelEU Aviation mandate, the company guarantees volume and cost predictability at a moment when many carriers are still planning their approach. This forward thinking move positions DHL to keep freight moving while pursuing its net zero roadmap.
Compliance and Competitive Advantage
Beginning January 2026 all jet fuel distributed at European airports must contain a rising minimum share of SAF. Analysts expect demand to outpace near term production. DHL has therefore shifted from reactive purchasing toward long range procurement. The move secures three distinct advantages:
- Regulatory readiness that eliminates last minute compliance pressures
- Budget certainty insulated from possible price spikes when quotas rise
- Credibility with customers requesting carbon informed logistics
A non-obvious insight emerges early movers can treat confirmed emission reductions as strategic inventory. Similar to spare aircraft parts, guaranteed litres of low carbon fuel carry optionality. They support future operations or can be reassigned through pooling agreements, creating a secondary market for SAF entitlements.
Building Toward Broader Net Zero Goals
The company intends to source more than thirty percent of all transport energy from sustainable alternatives by 2030. Parallel initiatives include electrifying most last mile vehicles and using data guided flight planning to improve payload efficiency. The new contract with Neste complements these efforts by targeting the highest emitting segment of the network, intercontinental air.
Market Signals
Global SAF production doubled during the past two years but still represents less than one percent of total aviation fuel. Long range contracts like this one encourage producers to finance additional refineries and feedstock collection, accelerating the climb toward meaningful scale.
Conclusion
This proactive purchase by DHL demonstrates how regulation can spark collaboration that benefits both climate and commerce. Forward contracting turns sustainability into a measurable business advantage while giving fuel makers confidence to expand.