The four SAF production pathways SAF isn’t made in just one way—there are four primary ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) approved production pathways (plus several emerging ones), each with different technology readiness levels, feedstock profiles, and cost structures.
SAF production costs vary widely by pathway, creating a complex economic landscape for scale-up. HEFA (Hydro processed Esters and Fatty Acids), the most mature route, benefits from established technology but relies on scarce, often expensive feedstocks. FT-SPK (Fischer-Tropsch Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene) and ATJ-SPK (Alcohol-to-Jet) offer more flexibility in feedstock sourcing, tapping into agricultural residues and municipal waste. However, they come with higher capital costs and lower technology readiness, making them less accessible in the short term. Power-to- Liquid (PtL) offers near-zero carbon potential but demands expensive green hydrogen and CO2
capture technologies.
The global SAF story: From mandates to momentum While the cost curves and technology pathways for SAF differ across regions, one thing is clear: the transition is no longer hypothetical—it’s a reality. And
Impact of SAF on lubricants A common question around SAF is whether it will require changes to existing lubricant formulations. Based on today’s use cases and research trials, existing lubricants continue to perform effectively across a wide range of fuel chemistries. Ongoing testing has
it’s happening fast. Europe may have laid the runway with early mandates and policy frameworks, giving investors the confidence to build the SAF ecosystem. But in 2025, the rest of the world is taxiing onto the same path (Figure 2.0 and Figure 3.0).
Regulations The SAF regulation is evolving regionally. In the UK the SAF Mandate requires fuel suppliers to blend increasing amounts of SAF, starting at 2% in 2025 and reaching 22% by 2040. In the European Union, the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, which came into force in 2024, mandates a minimum proportion of SAF in jet fuel, increasing to 70% by 2050, with specific obligations for synthetic e-fuels.
Additionally, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set a global aspirational goal for net-zero emissions by 2050, supporting SAF use, and the CORSIA scheme addresses emissions for international flights.
Figure 2: Overview of SAF Mandates and Targets, by Country.
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LUBE MAGAZINE NO.189 OCTOBER 2025
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