{"id":3536,"date":"2025-02-25T15:18:16","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T06:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hscatalysts.com\/blog\/250225-saf-2-3\/"},"modified":"2025-09-16T14:31:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T05:31:14","slug":"250225-saf-2-3","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.hscatalysts.com\/en\/blog\/250225-saf-2-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Decarbonizing the Aviation Industry: The Rise of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In 2023, global CO\u2082 emissions from the energy sector increased by approximately 410 Mt (+1.1% YoY), reaching a total of 37.4 Gt. Factors such as China\u2019s post-pandemic economic rebound, recovery in air travel, and climate variations contributed to this rise. Aviation alone accounted for 950 Mt of CO\u2082 emissions\u2014about 2.5% of global energy-related emissions\u2014showing the fastest growth among all transport sectors from 2000 to 2019.(Figure1)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\"Global
Figure 1.\u00a0Global CO\u2082 Emissions \u2013 Contributing and Reducing Factors<\/em>
<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Aviation Industry\u2019s Carbon Neutrality Roadmap<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"Aviation
Figure 2. Aviation Industry\u2019s 2050 Carbon Neutrality Action Plan<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In response to growing climate concerns, the aviation industry is accelerating decarbonization. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) proposed a 2050 Net-Zero Action Plan comprising :<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • 53% SAF adoption<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 34% technological innovation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 7% operational efficiency<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 6% carbon offsetting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Among these, SAF has emerged as the most critical solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    What Is SAF?<\/strong> (Sustainable Aviation Fuel)<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"\"
    (Photo. Shutterstock<\/em>)
    <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is a renewable alternative to traditional jet fuel (Jet A-1). It is produced from feedstocks such as used cooking oil, biomass (agricultural, forestry, and livestock waste), and CO\u2082-based syngas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It is chemically similar to fossil-based jet fuel, allowing seamless integration into existing aircraft and fueling infrastructure. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    SAF Production Pathways<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    1) HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids)<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The most mature and widely used SAF pathway (80% market share), HEFA uses used cooking oil, animal fats, and vegetable oils. These are refined and hydroprocessed using catalysts and hydrogen, followed by separation and purification. While efficient and cost-effective, HEFA may raise food-vs-fuel concerns due to the use of edible oils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"\"
    Figure 3. HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) Process<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    2) FT(Fischer-Tropsch)<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    This process gasifies biomass (e.g., wood or agricultural residues) to generate syngas (CO + H\u2082), which is then converted into liquid fuels using Fe or Co catalysts. FT can also use captured CO\u2082 and green hydrogen, making it a path to carbon-neutral fuels. However, it is more technologically complex and costly than HEFA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    3) ATJ(Alcohol-to-Jet)<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    ATJ converts biomass-derived alcohols (ethanol or butanol) into jet fuel via dehydration, oligomerization, and hydrogenation. Although versatile in feedstock options, it requires large amounts of biomass and is less energy-efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    4) PtL(Power-to-Liquid)<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    This next-generation SAF pathway uses green hydrogen (from renewables) and captured CO\u2082 (via DAC or industrial sources) to produce syngas, then SAF. While offering full fossil fuel independence and theoretical carbon neutrality, PtL currently has the highest production cost due to its technological and infrastructure demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"SAF
    Table 1. SAF Process Comparison<\/em>
    <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Catalysts: The Heart of SAF Production<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Catalyst
    Figure 4. Catalyst Classification for SAF<\/em>
    <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Each SAF pathway requires specialized catalyst technologies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n