The Israel Innovation Authority has announced a strategic investment of NIS 100 million ($28 million) to advance research in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Intelligent Integrated Sensing and Communication (IISAC). These initiatives will bring together leading Israeli companies, academic institutions, and global partners to develop cutting-edge sustainable aviation technologies and next-generation smart communication networks, ensuring Israel remains at the forefront of critical deep-tech fields.
Over the next three years, this investment will support groundbreaking research in SAF, in collaboration with Boeing, and the development of IISAC, an innovative technology that integrates positioning, sensing, and communication into a unified smart network. The consortia will focus on creating cost-effective, bio-based jet fuel from renewable sources and advancing telecom technologies that enhance real-time situational awareness, ultra-fast response times, and network efficiency for Beyond 5G/6G applications. By leveraging Israel’s strengths in deep-tech innovation, these projects aim to generate new economic opportunities, strengthen Israel’s position as a global technology leader, and maintain the competitiveness of its industries on the world stage.
Alon Stopel, Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority, stated: “The Israel Innovation Authority invests in pioneering technologies that have the potential to drive global breakthroughs and strengthen Israel’s standing as a leading innovation hub. The investments we approved in bio-based jet fuel and geolocation and sensing technologies for smart communication networks are key elements of our strategy to turn global challenges into economic opportunities for Israeli industry.”
SAF: THE SUSTAINABLE FUEL THAT COULD TRANSFORM AVIATION
The aviation industry, responsible for approximately 2-4% of global CO? emissions from energy sources, is under growing pressure to reduce its environmental impact. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has set an ambitious target to cut aviation emissions by 50% by 2050.
To address this challenge, Israel is launching an SAF consortium that unites five industrial companies and six academic research teams to develop bio-based aviation fuel. This fuel will be derived from renewable sources, including used cooking oil, solid organic waste, synthetic gas, residues from the wood and paper industries, and recycled plastics. The goal is to create a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to conventional jet fuel, catering to both local markets, such as Israeli airlines and the Air Force, and international markets through exports of fuel additives and components.
PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:
- Bazan Group Oil Refineries Ltd.
- Ashdod Refinery
- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
- Gaia Biotechnologies Ltd.
- Enzymotec Ltd.
The consortium will be supported by leading researchers from Ben-Gurion University, the Technion, Bar-Ilan University, and the Hebrew University.
Alon Stopel emphasized: “The alternative fuels sector aligns perfectly with the Innovation Authority’s focus on climate technologies. Beyond reducing carbon emissions, this initiative will open new global market opportunities for Israeli industry and position Israel at the forefront of aviation innovation.”
IISAC: A SMART COMMUNICATION REVOLUTION INTEGRATING SENSING, POSITIONING, AND COMMUNICATION
As the global race for next-generation communication technologies intensifies, Israel is making a strategic effort to reclaim its leadership in the field. The IISAC consortium aims to develop a revolutionary technology that combines real-time situational awareness, precise 4D location tracking (position + time), ultra-fast response times, and enhanced efficiency for Beyond 5G/6G networks.
These cutting-edge advancements will significantly reduce the costs of developing, acquiring, operating, and maintaining both private and public networks while enabling next-generation applications in fields such as autonomous systems, defense, smart cities, and industrial IoT (Internet of Things).
PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:
- CEVA
- Parallel Wireless
- Cognata
- Senstation
- Cellcom
Supporting research will be conducted by top academic institutions, including Ben-Gurion University, Tel Aviv University, Bar-Ilan University, and Ariel University.
Aviv Zeevi, Vice President of the Israel Innovation Authority and Head of Innovation Infrastructure, stated: “Israel was once a key player in global communications, but in recent years, the market has been dominated by international giants. The Innovation Authority is identifying areas where Israel holds a genuine technological advantage, and the IISAC consortium is a prime example. If leveraged correctly, Israeli communications companies have a real opportunity to compete and lead in the global market.”
