Mohamed Pourkashanian, Professor of Energy Engineering and Head of the Energy Innovation Centre, said he was “delighted” by the announcement.
Prof Pourkashanian said: “More importantly, it is a clear indication of the UK government’s commitment to both the environment and energy security.”
He said one of the main challenges for researchers was to negate the cost of SAF, which is more expensive than using fossil jet fuel.
One method being trialled is to capture carbon emissions created by other industrial processes, which can then be converted into SAF.
He said the next-generation technology being explored could reduce the price of producing SAF by “a minimum of 20%”.
Prof Pourkashanian said the team hoped Sheffield would be recognised at an international level, which would encourage companies to invest in the region’s production of SAF and create local jobs.