What is SAF?

The primary benefits of SAF are:

1. Reduced Carbon Emissions: SAF has the potential to significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel, helping the aviation sector move toward carbon neutrality.
2. Compatibility: SAF can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft without the need for modifications to aircraft engines or fueling infrastructure.
3. Sustainability: Since SAF is derived from renewable sources, its production and use can reduce the dependency on finite fossil resources and promote a circular economy.

SAF is a crucial part of global strategies to make aviation more environmentally sustainable, with the potential to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel. However, widespread adoption still faces challenges, such as high production costs and limited supply.
The development of SAF is key to meeting aviation industry targets, such as achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Why is it important?

Climate Change Mitigation

The aviation industry is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. SAF offers a viable solution to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint, playing a critical role in global efforts to combat climate change.

Resource Efficiency

By utilizing waste materials and renewable resources, SAF promotes a circular economy, reducing reliance on finite fossil fuels and minimizing waste.

Main types of SAF

HEFA

HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) is currently the most widely produced type of SAF. It is made from renewable oils and fats, such as used cooking oil, animal fats, and other organic materials. The feedstock undergoes hydroprocessing, where hydrogen is added to remove oxygen, resulting in a fuel that closely resembles traditional jet fuel. HEFA SAF is already certified for use in aviation, making it an important near-term solution for reducing emissions.

Power-to-Liquid or Electrofuels

E-fuels are produced by using renewable electricity (often from wind or solar power) to split water into hydrogen via electrolysis. The hydrogen is then combined with carbon dioxide, which can be captured from industrial emissions or directly from the air, to create synthetic hydrocarbons. E-fuels are seen as a promising long-term solution because they can potentially offer near-zero carbon emissions, depending on how the electricity is sourced.

Waste-based SAF

This refers to SAF produced from waste materials like municipal solid waste (MSW), agricultural residues, or forest waste. Waste-based SAF is particularly appealing because it utilizes feedstocks that would otherwise be discarded, thus reducing waste and preventing landfill emissions. This method has the potential for substantial sustainability benefits, though scaling up production remains a challenge.

Bio SAF

Bio-feedstock SAF is made from organic materials like plants, algae, or other biomass that can be sustainably grown. These feedstocks absorb carbon dioxide during their growth, which offsets the emissions produced when the fuel is burned. However, it is crucial that these bio-feedstocks are sourced sustainably, as unsustainable production could lead to deforestation or competition with food crops.