EcoCeres Urges EU to Keep SAF Market Open

Hong Kong-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producer EcoCeres has urged European policymakers to keep the EU SAF market open and competitive, warning that potential trade protection measures on imported SAF could undermine Europe’s climate goals.

The company noted that SAF has been identified as a key pillar for aviation decarbonization under the EU’s ReFuelEU Aviation regulation. However, global SAF production still accounts for less than 1% of total aviation fuel demand, meaning supply remains extremely limited.

EcoCeres cautioned that imposing anti-dumping or anti-subsidy duties on imported SAF could increase fuel costs and widen the price gap between SAF and conventional jet fuel. This could slow adoption by airlines, increase market concentration among a small number of European producers, and raise the risk of supply shortages.

The company also warned that broad trade protection measures could hinder technological innovation, including emerging pathways such as eSAF. EcoCeres called on the EU to prioritize open markets, maintain blending mandates, encourage competition, and use incentives such as carbon pricing and innovation funding to accelerate SAF deployment.