Understanding Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

As concerns about climate change and carbon emissions intensify, the aviation industry has been seeking sustainable alternatives to traditional jet fuels. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), produced from renewable resources like waste oils, agricultural residues, and algae, is a far eco-friendlier choice for powering aircraft.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel, often referred to as bio-jet fuel, is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional aviation fuels produced from organic material rather than fossil fuels. Currently a 50/50 SAF/JetA blend can drop-in substitute for regular JetA, with jet engine manufacturers are working towards 100% SAF.

Besides a lower carbon footprint, SAF is renewable and can be made via a range of processes with different feedstocks including waste oil and grain alcohols, and soon algae, municipal waste, and industrial emissions. Feedstock diversity decreases production costs as needed to be economically competitive with traditional aviation fuels.

Cost-aside, the core issue is SAF availability. Making a dent in JetA consumption requires a significant expansion of SAF production facilities and distribution infrastructure, and airports around the world must invest in blending facilities, pipelines, and storage tanks. Recognizing this issue, the Federal government has provided a wide range of incentives including grants and blenders credits to lower end cost and accelerate production.  Even so, supply will lag demand.

One form of SAF is electrofuel (eFuel), which uses captured carbon to replace organic feedstock. Still in its earliest days, eFuel can ultimately offer a full life-cycle sustainable jet fuel alternative using renewable power to produce and (indirectly) recapturing the carbon emitted when it’s burned.

While air transport is only responsible for a fraction of global emissions (~2.5%), the industry is heavily committed and invested in fossil fuel alternatives.

Major manufacturers are optimizing their jet engines for SAF, while exploring hydrogen and electrification. Regardless of what powers long-haul jets in the deep future, SAF is aviation’s’ immediate next step to sustainability.