Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Air travel contributes 2–3% of global CO2 emissions, primarily due to aircraft fossil fuel consumption. In addition, the projected demand for aviation fuel could surge by over 50% by 2050 compared to 2019.
Despite recognition of the importance of SAF in decarbonizing the industry, global production remains insufficient. The announced projects only cover 30–40% of the aspirational 10% of global fuel supply in 2030. Where the EU and US are leading the way on technological and regulatory aspects, there is a lack of zero-emission commercially viable options today. The best solution for now to implement is SAF, which is estimated to account for most environmental impact reduction until 2050. (WEF, 2024).
The aviation industry agreed to strive for an effective CO2 emission reduction of 5% by 2030. and the Clean Skies for Tomorrow 2030 ambition statement strives to to a 10% SAF share of fuel supply in 2030. Considering recent aviation fuel consumption factors and estimated regional growth factors, global fuel demand in 2030 is estimated at 400–500 million tonnes (Mt) annually. A total of 40–50 Mt of SAF would thus be needed to reach the stated ambitions.
Rapidly growing demand
The worldwide demand for SAF will grow to 50 million tons in 2030 driven by mandates in EU and US (WEF, 2024).
Aviation CO2 emissions
Air travel contributes 2–3% of global CO2 emissions, primarily due to aircraft fossil fuel consumption (>90%).
Need for projects
Announced projects covering only 30–40% of the aspirational 10% of global fuel supply in 2030 (WEF, 2024).
How ChainCraft can contribute to scale and implement SAF
The fatty acids as developed by ChainCraft’s via its proprietary chain elongation technology can provide leading SAF producers with a cost-effective alternative to existing SAF routes. The fatty acids can be ketonized, which can be followed by the HEFA/HO process for the ultimate SAF production, delivering the required chain length of jet fuel (kerosene). With this, a pathway for SAF production is created which can complement or substitute other sources with limited growth potential such as Used Cooking Oils (UCO) or Tallow.
With ChainCraft’s flexibility on feedstock and the option to use abundant food & agricultural waste, significant cost advantages can be achieved in the overall cost of production of SAF. The feedstocks that ChainCraft technology handles are residues from vegetable processing companies and disposed of at a cost, so offer a truly sustainable and economical source of feedstock that will not compete with use in food and don’t require additional land. These combined benefits lead to an enormous growth potential and offer potential overcome some of the current growth barriers in the SAF market.
