The Horizon Europe call under topic HORIZON-CL5-2024-D5-01-07 aims to accelerate climate-neutral aviation by minimizing non-CO2 emissions, especially from contrails. One of the selected projects, PACIFIC (Particle emissions, Air Quality and Climate Impact related to Fuel Composition and Engine Cycle), targets the development and assessment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and their influence on non-CO2 emissions. Among aviation’s climate impacts, contrail cirrus has the highest radiative forcing potential. These form when soot particles emitted by aircraft engines interact with atmospheric moisture to produce ice crystals. The PACIFIC project responds to the inconsistent findings from earlier studies, which resulted from the use of varied fuels, engine types, and testing conditions.

PACIFIC will standardize the testing conditions and use a wide set of SAFs from lab to engine/aircraft level. It focuses on improving models for soot formation, better prediction of particle emissions, and ground-based detection of GNSS-degradation conditions. Advanced testing methodologies will assess soot indices, particle emissions across the entire thrust range, and ice-nucleating potential. This will feed into models that estimate climate impact, supporting both fuel specification development and broader sustainability strategies for aviation.

Led by AIRBUS Operations SAS and involving 11 partners from four countries, PACIFIC brings together leading expertise in aircraft and engine manufacturing, fuel production, and environmental modelling. The results will inform cost-benefit analyses of different SAF options and contribute to EU policy goals such as clean air, digital innovation, and climate action.

Opening: 01.01.2025
Deadline(s): 30.06.2028