22 Analytical Instrumentation
energy directly. According to a study published in the journal Nature Energy, Synhelion’s solar-driven thermochemical process can achieve conversion effi ciencies of up to 20 percent, making it a highly effi cient method for producing SAFs⁹. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the SAF industry by providing a sustainable and scalable production method.
LanzaJet has made signifi cant strides in commercializing its ATJ technology, which converts ethanol into jet fuel. The company has secured funding and partnerships to scale up production, with plans to produce millions of gallons of SAF annually. A recent study in the Journal of Cleaner Production highlighted LanzaJet’s advancements in ATJ technology, noting that the company’s process can achieve a 70 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuels¹º. This makes ATJ a promising option for reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint. Velocys has optimized its Fischer-Tropsch process to convert municipal solid waste and other feedstocks into SAF. The company has received regulatory approvals and is constructing commercial-scale facilities to produce SAF from waste materials. Research published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews has shown that Velocys’ FT process can achieve high conversion effi ciencies and produce high-quality jet fuel with a 90 percent reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions¹¹. This demonstrates the potential of FT synthesis to contribute signifi cantly to the aviation industry’s decarbonization efforts. Neste, a leading producer of HEFA-based SAF, has expanded its production capacity signifi cantly. Neste’s new facilities in Singapore and the Netherlands are expected to increase global SAF supply and reduce production costs. A study in the Journal of Industrial Ecology reported that Neste’s HEFA process can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 percent compared to conventional jet fuels¹². The expansion of Neste’s production capacity is a critical step towards meeting the growing demand for SAFs and achieving the aviation industry’s sustainability goals. In conclusion, these technological advancements and increased production capacities underscore the signifi cant potential of SAFs to revolutionize the aviation industry, offering sustainable solutions that drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support global sustainability goals.
This graph compares the various technologies based on their GHG Emission Reduction. As depicted by the graph, the Fischer-Tropsch Process is the most effi cient of the three processes.
Challenges and Solutions High Production Costs
One of the primary challenges facing SAFs is the high production cost. SAFs are currently more expensive to produce than conventional jet fuels, primarily due to the complexity of the production processes and the limited availability of feedstocks. The production of SAFs involves advanced technologies all of which require signifi cant capital investment and operational costs⁸. According to a report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the cost of SAFs can be up to three times higher than that of conventional jet fuels. To address the high production costs, several strategies are being implemented. Technological advancements are playing a crucial role in improving the effi ciency of SAF production processes. For instance, innovations in catalytic conversion technologies and feedstock processing are helping to reduce costs. Additionally, economies of scale can be achieved by increasing production volumes, which can lower the per-unit cost of SAFs. Government incentives and subsidies are also essential in bridging the cost gap between SAFs and conventional jet fuels. Policies such as tax credits, grants, and blending mandates can encourage investment in SAF production and make these fuels more economically viable.
Scalability
Scaling up SAF production to meet global demand is a signifi cant challenge. Current production levels are insuffi cient to meet the aviation industry’s fuel requirements, and substantial investment in infrastructure and technology is needed to increase production capacity. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that to meet the aviation sector’s decarbonization goals, SAF production needs to increase from less than 0.1 percent of total aviation fuel consumption in 2020 to around 10 percent by 20317
. Currently, PIN ANNUAL BUYERS’ GUIDE 2025 Table 2: Summarization of the Challenges with SAFs Challenges High Production Costs Specifi cations
SAFs are currently more expensive to produce than conventional jet fuels, primarily due to the complexity of the production processes and the limited availability of feedstock. The cost of SAFs can be up to three times higher than that of conventional jet fuels
Scalability
Scaling up SAF production to meet global demand is a signifi cant challenge. Current production levels are insuffi cient to meet the aviation industry’s fuel requirement, and substantial investment in infrastructure and technology is needed to increase production capacity
SAF production accounts for only about 0.53 percent of the aviation industry’s fuel needs2
. Public-private partnerships
and international collaboration are essential to scale up SAF production. Governments, industry stakeholders, and research institutions need to work together to develop and implement large-scale SAF production facilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while SAFs offer a promising solution to reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint, several challenges need to be addressed to achieve widespread adoption. High production costs, feedstock availability, and scalability are signifi cant barriers that require coordinated efforts from governments, industry stakeholders, and research institutions. The high production costs of SAFs, primarily due to the complexity of production processes and the limited availability of feedstocks, can be mitigated through technological advancements, economies of scale, and government incentives. Ensuring a consistent and sustainable supply of feedstocks is crucial, and this can be achieved by diversifying feedstock sources and improving logistics and supply chains. Scaling up production to meet global demand necessitates substantial investment in infrastructure and technology, with public-private partnerships and international collaboration playing a key role. Despite these challenges, the benefi ts of SAFs are substantial, including signifi cant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, lower CO emissions, and improved fuel effi ciency. The advancements and research in SAF technologies underscore their critical role in the transition towards more sustainable aviation fuels. Continued investment in research and development, exploration of new feedstock sources, and supportive policies and regulatory frameworks are essential. By addressing these challenges and leveraging the benefi ts, the aviation industry can pave the way for a more sustainable future, signifi cantly reducing its environmental impact and supporting global sustainability goals.
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