TU Graz Leads EU ToFuel Project to Convert Tomato Residues into Sustainable Aviation Fuel

The EU ToFuel project, led by Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), aims to develop a biorefinery concept that converts tomato production waste into sustainable aviation fuel, as well as fertiliser and animal feed. The project targets the production of competitive, climate-neutral aviation fuels to help achieve European climate neutrality by 2030.

It is estimated that around 3% of the sustainable aviation fuel needed in Europe could be sourced from tomato pomace. The project involves advanced processing techniques, including extrusion and hydrothermal liquefaction, to convert tomato waste into high-quality bio-oil and lipids, which will be refined into aviation fuel using the HEFA process at the University of Leoben. Officially starting on 1 January 2026, the project includes eleven partners from seven European countries and has a budget of €3.5 million over four years.