SAF Utilization Roadmap: Beyond Carbon Reduction Toward a Sustainable Aviation Era
2025.10.21
🔍 In September 2025, the Korean government unveiled the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Blending Mandate Roadmap and launched the SAF Alliance, a public–private partnership designed to accelerate decarbonization across the aviation industry.
SAF, produced from renewable feedstocks such as vegetable oils and used cooking oils, is widely regarded as the most practical alternative to conventional jet fuel for achieving carbon neutrality in aviation.
This article explores the strategic importance of SAF from both policy and industry perspectives, reviewing global blending mandates and Korea’s roadmap for future development.
SAF as a Strategic National Resource
Unlike other transportation sectors, aviation faces unique challenges in transitioning to electricity or hydrogen due to the high energy density and safety standards required for long-haul operations. Within these constraints, SAF emerges as the most realistic pathway to replace conventional jet fuel.
The deployment of SAF goes well beyond meeting environmental regulations—it generates tangible value and new growth opportunities across multiple sectors. Governments can strengthen industrial competitiveness through proactive alignment with global standards. Airlines can enhance their ESG reputation and gain advantages in international route allocations, while refiners can pioneer new low-carbon markets and benefit from tax incentives. Ultimately, society as a whole moves closer to the overarching goal of greenhouse gas reduction.
Global SAF Blending Mandates and Market Dynamics
The global aviation sector is accelerating SAF adoption through a dual strategy of regulatory obligations and incentive-driven frameworks.
European Union: Leading Through Strong Regulation
The ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation mandates a gradual increase in SAF blending ratios for jet fuel supplied at EU airports.
- Mandate Targets: Starting at 2% in 2025, increasing to 6% by 2030, and reaching 70% by 2050.
- e-SAF Promotion: Separate sub-targets for synthetic fuels (Power-to-Liquid, PtL) are set—0.7% by 2030 and 35% by 2050—to accelerate the transition toward renewable, carbon-neutral fuels.
- Preventing Tankering: To curb “tankering,” where airlines overfuel at lower-cost airports to avoid SAF expenses, the regulation requires a minimum uplift at departure airports to ensure policy effectiveness.
United States: Market-Driven Growth Through Incentives
Rather than imposing a federal blending mandate, the U.S. encourages voluntary market growth through robust tax credits, incentives, and clear national goals.
- Tax Credit: Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), SAF blends achieving at least a 50% lifecycle carbon reduction qualify for a base credit of $1.25 per gallon, with up to $0.50 for additional reductions.
- Clean Fuel Credit (§45Z): Beginning in 2025, the Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit will base incentives on carbon intensity (CI) rather than blend ratios—rewarding technological innovation and lower-carbon production.
- SAF Grand Challenge: The White House and Department of Energy aim to produce 3 billion gallons of SAF by 2030 and achieve full transition by 2050, signaling strong federal commitment and industrial collaboration.
Japan: Institutional Development Through Clear Government Targets
Japan has set a public target to replace 10% of aviation fuel consumption with SAF by 2030—equivalent to roughly 1.7 billion liters—through a coordinated effort between government and industry. System development for production, procurement, and standards is underway to achieve this goal.
K-SAF: Korea’s Blending Mandate Roadmap and Support Framework
On September 19, 2025, the Korean government announced the SAF Blending Mandate Roadmap and launched the SAF Alliance, bringing together airlines, refiners, and related institutions to build a cooperative foundation for SAF deployment. The initiative aims to ensure a stable policy rollout and the structured development of Korea’s domestic SAF ecosystem.
- Fuel Supplier Obligation: Refiners and other suppliers will be required to blend SAF starting in 2027.
- Airline Obligation: From 2028, airlines must use blended fuel containing SAF for at least 90% of the fuel uplifted at departure airports.
Flexibility and Support Measures
To address implementation challenges, the government has introduced several flexibility mechanisms. Airlines may carry forward up to 20% of their obligations for up to three years, with adjustments allowed for force majeure events or safety concerns. New airlines will be granted a three-year grace period.
In parallel, the government is expanding industrial support—enhancing tax credits for R&D and facility investments, offering policy financing, and exploring incentives for next-generation synthetic SAF. Additional measures include tariff reductions on imported feedstocks via FTAs, supply chain mapping, and feedstock diversification. By 2027, a Petroleum Substitute Fuel Center will be established as a dedicated support hub.
Enhanced Incentives
To incentivize compliance, airlines exceeding SAF blending targets will earn greater advantages in international route allocations—the bonus will increase from 1 point to 3.5 points. The government is also considering a shift from airport fee reductions to direct subsidies. In addition, a voluntary passenger contribution program is under review, offering benefits such as lounge access or seat upgrades to travelers supporting SAF use.
The Core of SAF Competitiveness: Heesung Catalysts’ Technology
The expansion of the SAF market is inseparable from advances in catalyst technology, which directly determine production efficiency and cost competitiveness. As companies prepare to enter the SAF market under Korea’s blending mandate, securing stable and high-performance catalyst solutions is becoming increasingly vital.
Leveraging decades of expertise in refining, petrochemical, and environmental catalysts, Heesung Catalysts develops advanced solutions optimized for SAF production. The company continuously refines catalyst control technologies to maximize conversion rate, selectivity, and durability under diverse reaction conditions—empowering customers to achieve target SAF yield and quality with confidence. Building on this foundation, Heesung Catalysts is committed to advancing catalyst innovation and shaping a more sustainable future.
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