The Renewable and Low-Carbon Fuels Value Chain Industrial Alliance (RLCF Alliance) is a European initiative dedicated to accelerating the production and deployment of sustainable fuels for aviation and waterborne transport. Established by the European Commission in 2022, the Alliance supports the implementation of the ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime regulations and helps turn Europe's climate ambitions into concrete industrial projects.
As demand for renewable and low-carbon fuels grows, scaling up production has become both an environmental and an industrial priority. Sustainable aviation and maritime fuels are essential to decarbonising some of the most challenging transport sectors, while creating new opportunities for investment, innovation and economic growth across Europe. The Alliance brings together stakeholders from across the entire value chain, including fuel producers, transport operators, technology providers, financial institutions, public authorities and civil society organisations, creating a unique platform where industry, policymakers and investors can work together to accelerate market development.
At the heart of the Alliance is a shared objective: ensuring sufficient access to renewable and low-carbon fuels for aviation and waterborne transport while supporting the European Union's goal of reducing transport greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2050. Achieving this ambition requires more than policy targets. It requires new production capacity, large-scale infrastructure, innovative technologies, secure feedstock supply chains and substantial private and public investment.
Today, the market for renewable and low-carbon fuels is rapidly evolving but remains at an early stage of development. While regulatory frameworks are creating long-term demand signals, project developers continue to face significant challenges, including access to finance, technology risks, infrastructure needs and the availability of long-term offtake agreements. Addressing these barriers requires closer cooperation across sectors and across the value chain. The Alliance was created precisely to provide this collaborative framework, helping transform market potential into bankable projects and tangible investments.
Through its activities, the Alliance works to strengthen Europe's sustainable fuels ecosystem, support the development of a robust project pipeline and facilitate the conditions needed for investment and deployment. Dedicated expert groups focus on key enabling areas, including financing solutions, infrastructure development, market mapping and project recognition mechanisms. These efforts help identify bottlenecks, foster knowledge exchange and support the scaling-up of renewable and low-carbon fuel production and use throughout the European Union.
The Alliance is governed by its members through a structure designed to ensure both strategic direction and effective implementation. All members participate in the annual General Assembly, where progress is reviewed and priorities for future work are discussed. Strategic leadership is provided by a 20-member Steering Group chaired by the European Commission, representing the aviation, maritime, fuel production and financial sectors.
The work of the Steering Group is currently supported by four Vice-Chairs: Nathalie Stubler, Chief Sustainability Officer at Safran, representing aviation; Anaëlle Boudry, Senior Policy Advisor at European Shipowners (ECSA), representing maritime; Alessandro Bartelloni, Director at FuelsEurope, representing fuel producers; and Dimitrios Koufos, Head of Sustainable Business, Industry, Agri & Commerce at EBRD, representing finance. Operational and administrative support is provided by the Alliance Secretariat.
By bringing together all key actors across the value chain, the RLCF Alliance is helping build the industrial partnerships, investment frameworks and market conditions required to accelerate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon fuels in Europe. In doing so, it contributes not only to the decarbonisation of transport, but also to Europe's competitiveness, energy resilience and long-term industrial leadership in the transition to climate neutrality.
- Join the Alliance
- Membership Information
- Alliance Labelling Scheme
- Task Forces
- Latest News & Events
- FAQs & useful links
Contacts: secretariat@rlcf-alliance.eu