Category Archives: SAF

Sarawak Positioned as Regional Hub for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Development

On September 8, SK SAF and its partner Oiltek announced the completion of a comprehensive feasibility study confirming a viable pathway to position Sarawak as a regional leader in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The project adopts a modular structure, combining a world-class SAF biorefinery with scalable Pre-Treatment Unit (PTU) hubs under a Build-Operate-Transfer-Maintain (BOTM) model.

The PTU will process up to 3 million tonnes of feedstock annually, including palm oil mill effluent (POME), used cooking oil (UCO), and palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD). Outputs will supply the SAF biorefinery or be exported to regional markets. Using Topsoe’s HydroFlex™ HEFA technology, the facility will produce SAF, renewable diesel (HVO), naphtha, and LPG.

Strategic benefits include feedstock security, early revenues, long-term value creation, and alignment with ICAO’s CORSIA standards, reinforcing Sarawak’s role in the global renewable fuel value chain.

India Launches SAF Feasibility Study with ICAO and EU Support

According to the India Bioenergy Times, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, in collaboration with ICAO and with EU support, has launched a feasibility study on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Conducted under ICAO’s ACT-SAF program, the study assesses India’s feedstock availability, production pathways, infrastructure readiness, and policy framework to build a sustainable SAF market. The roadmap sets phased blending targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030. Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu highlighted that SAF can cut lifecycle emissions by up to 80%, and with abundant biomass, India aims to be a global SAF hub.

Plastics-to-SAF: Clean Planet Unveils UK’s First Waste-to-Fuel Technology

At the 2025 SAF Global Summit in London, Clean Planet Technologies CEO and Clean Planet Energy CTO Andrew Odjo unveiled the UK’s first plastics-to-SAF (P2SAF) technology, the proprietary “SAFe-P2SAF” system. This innovation converts hard-to-recycle mixed plastics into low-carbon aviation fuel that meets strict standards and can be blended with conventional jet fuel using existing infrastructure.

The company highlighted that SAFe-P2SAF can cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70% compared to fossil jet fuel, while diverting thousands of tons of plastic waste from landfills and incineration. Positioned as both a climate and waste solution, the technology addresses rising pressure on traditional SAF feedstocks like HEFA. With the EU’s ReFuelEU 2% SAF mandate taking effect in 2025 and the UK advancing SAF policy, Clean Planet plans to secure ASTM certification, launch its first pilot facility later this year, and expand partnerships to accelerate commercial deployment.

Qantas Strengthens Commitment to Sustainability

Qantas has reaffirmed that sustainability remains its top priority, pledging over US$65 million towards sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other decarbonization projects. The airline has expanded SAF usage in Los Angeles and committed to consuming more than 100 million liters over the next three years. In its annual results, Qantas also announced an investment in ClimateTech Partners, a venture fund supporting climate-focused businesses and projects. These steps highlight Qantas’ strategy to accelerate its low-carbon transition and lead the aviation industry toward a more sustainable future.

Shell Halts Rotterdam Biofuels Project, Reaffirms Focus on Low-Carbon Fuels

On September 3, Shell Netherlands, a subsidiary of Shell, announced it will not restart the construction of a large biofuels plant at its Rotterdam Energy and Chemicals Park, originally planned in 2022 with a capacity of 275 million gallons per year. After a thorough commercial and technical review, Shell concluded the project lacked sufficient competitiveness to meet customer demand for affordable low-carbon products. Machteld de Haan, Shell’s EVP for Downstream, Renewables and Energy Solutions, said the decision was difficult but necessary, allowing investments to focus on projects that deliver both customer value and shareholder returns. Despite this move, Shell reaffirmed its commitment to low-carbon molecules such as biofuels and SAF, highlighting that in 2024 its low-carbon fuel trading volume exceeded 10 billion liters. The company has also invested heavily in the Netherlands in CCS, renewable hydrogen, and electrification initiatives.

Hawaiian Airlines Introduces SAF on Osaka–Honolulu Route

On August 29, Hawaiian Airlines announced it will use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on flights between Osaka and Honolulu, under a supply agreement between its parent company Alaska Airlines Group and Cosmo Oil Marketing Co., a subsidiary of Cosmo Energy Holdings.

The airline began fueling with SAF at Kansai International Airport in August, marking its first use of the fuel in Japan. SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.

Supported by a NEDO subsidy in 2021, Cosmo’s project uses domestically sourced used cooking oil (UCO) to produce SAF. Its plant will be Japan’s first large-scale SAF facility, with products certified under ISCC CORSIA and ISCC EU standards.

Malaysia to Mandate 1% SAF Blending for International Flights from 2027

Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, announced that the government plans to mandate a 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blending requirement for all international flights departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) starting January 2027. The detailed implementation framework is currently being discussed with industry players and stakeholders. With Ecoceres Renewable Fuels’ new facility in Tanjung Langsat, Johor, commencing commercial operations, Malaysia is expected to begin domestic SAF production by the end of this year.

The ministry is actively working to build a local SAF ecosystem by issuing licenses under the Malaysian Biofuel Industry Act 2007, while also supporting infrastructure for storage, blending, transportation, and distribution. In addition, the National Biofuel Policy is under review to position SAF and other second-generation biofuels as strategic components, aligned with technological progress and global market demand.

A national SAF strategy document is also being prepared, covering feedstock supply assessments and initiatives such as public awareness campaigns on used cooking oil collection in collaboration with industry and communities. These measures aim to establish a solid foundation for Malaysia’s sustainable aviation fuel development.

Airbus and Air France complete first flight of SAF A220

On August 25, 2025, an Air France Airbus A220 completed its delivery flight from Airbus’ Mirabel facility in Canada to Paris, powered by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Airbus highlighted that this flight marks a significant step forward, as it is the first time the company has directly issued an official SAF sustainability certificate to a customer.

This landmark flight not only demonstrates Airbus’ ability to provide Proof of Sustainability (POS) directly to customers and operators, but also reinforces the aviation industry’s commitment to decarbonization.

The delivery flight, operated by Air France’s 46th A220-300 “Vaison-La-Romaine,” used a 50% SAF blend through a mass balance process, earning POS credits and reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 25 metric tons compared to conventional fossil fuels.

Ireland Launches First Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap

On August 21, Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, officially launched the country’s first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Policy Roadmap, delivering on a key commitment in the government program. This roadmap is seen as an important milestone in driving Ireland’s aviation sector toward a greener transition.

Aviation remains one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize, and the development and deployment of SAF is considered a critical tool in reducing emissions. To support the roadmap’s preparation, the Department of Transport established a SAF Taskforce in December 2023, bringing together government, industry, and other stakeholders to shape the policy framework and its implementation.

The roadmap highlights the strategic role of SAF in Ireland while identifying current opportunities and barriers, such as the feasibility of importing supply, the potential for future domestic production, and alignment with both national and EU policies. It sets out four policy pathways: market certainty, collaboration, supporting uptake, and supporting production. Each pathway outlines initial actions that will evolve alongside EU-level initiatives.

According to O’Brien, the roadmap provides a solid foundation for SAF deployment, ensuring Ireland’s aviation industry can balance sustainability with competitiveness.

Industry Implications

Airlines may face higher costs but will enhance their green competitiveness.
Fuel suppliers could benefit from near-term imports and future domestic production.
Investors should view this as a clear signal of Ireland’s energy transition, creating potential new opportunities.

Vietnam’s First SAF Supply Takes Flight with Petrolimex

On August 15, Petrolimex and Petrolimex Aviation announced the official availability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at Nha Be Petroleum Depot in Ho Chi Minh City. At the same event, they signed a cooperation agreement on SAF consumption with Vietjet Aviation and Associated Energy Group LLC. The initiative is part of Petrolimex’s 70th anniversary celebrations and marks a milestone in Vietnam’s green aviation journey.

SAF is widely regarded as the most effective solution for reducing carbon emissions in aviation, helping the industry progress toward the global net-zero target by 2050. Petrolimex is the first company in Vietnam to import synthetic blending components (SBC) from renewable resources and to master SAF blending technology in line with international standards such as EI 1533, ASTM D7566, DEF STAN 91-091, and Vietnam’s TCVN 14414:2025.

Petrolimex Aviation has already supplied SAF to domestic commercial flights, demonstrating the practicality and readiness of green fuel in the Vietnamese market. Recognized as a flagship project for Petrolimex’s anniversary, the SAF blending system at Nha Be represents a significant step forward for sustainable aviation in Southeast Asia.