Case Study
Q8 Aviation & 360 Jet Fuel SAF Book & Claim Registry Platform
Designing a platform for tracking, trading, and retiring SAF credits in a market where standards, regulations, and operating models were still taking shape.
6
months to initial delivery
4
core platform components
3+
stakeholder groups aligned in discovery
Overview
Building infrastructure for an emerging SAF market
In response to increasing regulatory pressure and growing demand for sustainable aviation, Q8 Aviation and 360 Jet Fuel partnered to create a SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) Book & Claim Registry.
The platform enables airlines, corporate buyers, and fuel suppliers to track, trade, and retire SAF credits (BCUs - Book & Claim Units), supporting emissions reduction goals and compliance with emerging regulations.
Happy Path Solutions, in collaboration with development partner Kombinat, designed and delivered the platform from the ground up in a rapidly evolving and not yet fully standardized market.
The Challenge
Defining a trustworthy product before the market had settled
The aviation industry is under increasing pressure to reduce CO2 emissions. Regulators are introducing stricter requirements, while airlines and corporate customers are incentivized to reduce their carbon footprint through SAF adoption targets, emissions reporting, tax benefits, and compliance schemes.
However, SAF supply is limited and geographically constrained. The Book & Claim model allows organizations to purchase SAF credits without physically using SAF fuel, decoupling environmental benefit from fuel logistics.
- lack of standardized systems
- evolving regulatory frameworks
- unclear data and ownership models
- risk of double counting emissions reductions
Q8 Aviation recognized an opportunity to build and own a SAF registry early, enable trading and marketplace functionality, and prepare for upcoming regulatory requirements.
At the same time, 360 Jet Fuel needed the system to be adaptable for multiple future clients, introducing multi-tenant considerations from the start.
Discovery
Aligning product definition with certification logic
We began with a structured discovery phase involving stakeholders from Q8 Aviation, 360 Jet Fuel, and RSB (Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) representatives.
Because the domain was still emerging, discovery focused not only on workflows but also on understanding certification standards, defining what a Book & Claim Unit (BCU) represents, mapping ownership and transfer logic, and aligning the product with RSB certification requirements.
Designing in an Evolving Market
Product decisions had to balance clarity, traceability, and future change
Unlike traditional software projects, this platform was built in a context where industry standards were still forming, requirements evolved continuously, and multiple stakeholders had conflicting needs.
- modeling BCUs as tradable digital assets
- ensuring traceability and auditability
- preventing double counting of emissions benefits
- balancing correctness versus usability
Key decision
We aligned the system with RSB certification standards and worked directly with RSB representatives so the registry could be certified once completed.
Product Design
Making abstract environmental assets understandable
The design process focused on making complex, abstract concepts understandable to users. Key UX challenges included representing carbon credits and environmental claims, explaining ownership and transfer of BCUs, and enabling non-technical users to confidently interact with the system.
We began with low-fidelity wireframes, tested with users to validate understanding and workflows. Based on feedback, we created a high-fidelity interactive prototype in Figma defining core user flows, marketplace interactions, inventory and transaction management, and reporting and transparency features.
Platform Structure
Four parts working together as a registry ecosystem
SAF Inventory
Tracks SAF supply and converts it into Book & Claim Units (BCUs) that can be traded.
BCU Marketplace
Enables listing available BCUs, purchasing credits, and transferring ownership between participants.
BCU Retirement Registry
Provides a public record of retired BCUs to ensure auditability, trust, and prevention of double counting.
Performance Dashboard
Offers insight into SAF inventory, BCU inventory, and sales performance.
Delivery Process
A multi-stakeholder product delivered in six months
The platform was developed over approximately six months by a distributed team.
Happy Path Solutions
Product Management & UX Design
UI Design
Quality Assurance
Kombinat
Software Architecture
Three full-stack engineers
The collaboration model combined daily remote alignment, Kanban-based delivery, weekly stakeholder reviews, continuous work with both Q8 Aviation and 360 Jet Fuel, and direct collaboration with RSB representatives.
An in-person workshop with Q8 Aviation in London ensured alignment across supply, sales, marketing, and legal.
Happy Path team has been a valuable partner in building the Book and Claim platform. I always felt that they truly listened to our needs and found thoughtful ways to address them.
Sonja Whitticase
Marketing manager, Q8 Aviation
Outcome
A live platform built for scale and regulatory readiness
The SAF Book & Claim Registry platform is now live and undergoing RSB certification.
The system enables SAF credit tracking and trading, supports airlines and corporate buyers, improves compliance readiness for evolving regulations, and provides a foundation for a scalable SAF marketplace.
The platform is designed as a multi-tenant solution, allowing 360 Jet Fuel to offer similar capabilities to other clients in the future.
Key Insights
What this project reinforced
Designing without fixed rules requires strong product judgment.
In evolving domains, product decisions must balance correctness, usability, and future adaptability.
Regulatory alignment is a core product concern.
Building in collaboration with certification bodies ensures long-term viability.
Abstract concepts require careful UX design.
Users must understand ownership, transactions, and impact clearly to trust the system.
Early positioning creates strategic advantage.
By building ahead of regulation, Q8 Aviation positioned itself as a leader in SAF adoption and infrastructure.
Credits
The teams behind the platform
Clients
Q8 Aviation
360 Jet Fuel
Product Design & Product Management
Happy Path Solutions
Development Partner
Kombinat
Certification Alignment
RSB (Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials)