Pathway Energy LLC debuted as a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexus Holdings on 12 December and announced the launch of a series of commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facilities.

Located in Port Arthur, Texas, the project will be capable of producing 30 million gallons of carbon-negative SAF per year, which equates to enough fuel for 5,000 carbon-neutral long-haul (10+ hour) flights per year.

Through biomass, gasification and syngas conversion technologies, Pathway will convert sustainably sourced wood pellets, a homogeneous and globally traded commodity, into SAF.

Darling Ingredients Inc., a global leader in transforming food waste into sustainable products and renewable energy, has announced a groundbreaking development in the aviation industry. On December 10, the company revealed that Avfuel Corp., the leading independent supplier of aviation fuel and services, has received its first shipment of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced by Diamond Green Diesel (DGD). DGD is a 50/50 joint venture between Darling Ingredients and Valero Energy Corp.

A Milestone Delivery in Naples, Florida

Naples Aviation (KAPF), located in Naples, Florida, became the first Avfuel network location in the eastern United States to offer SAF for general sale. This milestone follows a SAF supply agreement between Avfuel and Valero Marketing and Supply Company, a Valero subsidiary. The delivery underscores the aviation industry’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and advancing sustainability efforts.

SAF Made from Waste-Based Feedstocks

DGD’s SAF is produced using waste-based feedstocks, including used cooking oil, animal tallow, and distiller’s corn oil. This innovative production process allows for an estimated lifecycle greenhouse gas emission reduction of up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel, making it a game-changer for sustainable aviation.

“As the world’s largest producer of SAF made from waste-based feedstocks, DGD is leading the way in reducing aviation’s carbon footprint and accelerating the decarbonization of the aviation sector,” said Randall C. Stuewe, Chairman and CEO of Darling Ingredients. “This milestone proves that we can transform waste into renewable energy at an unprecedented scale, driving meaningful progress toward a more sustainable future.”

DGD’s Growing SAF Production Capacity

DGD’s Port Arthur, Texas, facility loaded its first SAF shipment on November 16. The site has already converted approximately 50% of its annual 470-million-gallon production capacity to SAF, positioning it among the world’s largest SAF manufacturers. This expanded capacity signifies a pivotal step in the aviation industry’s shift toward greener, more sustainable energy sources.

A New Era for Aviation Sustainability

This first SAF delivery represents more than just a logistical achievement; it marks a pivotal moment in the aviation sector’s journey toward decarbonization. By leveraging waste-based feedstocks, Darling Ingredients and its partners are setting a precedent for renewable energy innovation on a global scale.

As SAF becomes increasingly available across the aviation industry, this collaboration between Darling Ingredients, DGD, and Avfuel exemplifies the transformative potential of renewable energy in addressing climate change and fostering a more sustainable future.

CleanJoule launched its newest product, SpaceSAF™, on 10 December, which is a direct replacement for ultra-refined paraffin fuel used in liquid rockets (Rocket Propellants 1/RP-1 and RP-2).

CleanJoule says its SpaceSAF meets the needs of sustainable space missions while increasing payload due to more than a 4 per cent increase in energy density compared to existing petroleum-derived fuels.

Using the same base materials used to produce SpaceSAF, CleanJoule also produces a higher quality, sustainable solid rocket fuel (SSRF) for use in existing solid rocket motors.

A new report released by the Korea Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (KEEFA) highlights the importance of developing a domestic sustainable aviation fuel supply chain and addressing the associated challenges and risks for South Korea to capitalise on market opportunities.

South Korea, the world’s largest exporter of aviation fuel, has implemented an SAF mandate, effective from August 2024, requiring a minimum blend of 1% SAF by 2027 for international flights.

Michelle (Chaewon) Kim, author of the report and IEEFA’s expert on energy finance in Korea, said the requirement is an important step in reducing the aviation industry’s contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which account for 2-3 per cent of the world’s total GHG emissions.

However, delayed domestic supply uptake and unsustainable feedstock use and production pathways could pose challenges, hindering the country’s SAF market leadership and decarbonisation potential.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released new estimates of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, which show that SAF production will reach 1 million tonnes (1.3 billion litres) in 2024, double the 500,000 tonnes (600 million litres) in 2023:

– SAF production will reach 1.0 million tonnes (1.3 billion litres) in 2024, double the 0.5 million tonnes (0.6 billion litres) in 2023.SAF accounts for 0.3 per cent of global aviation fuel production and 11 per cent of global renewable fuels.

SAF accounts for 0.3% of global aviation fuel production and 11% of global renewable fuel production.-This is significantly lower than the 1.5 million tonnes (1.9 billion litres) of SAF production in 2024 that was previously forecast, as the major SAF production facilities in the United States have delayed their ramp-ups until the first half of 2025.

-SAF production is expected to reach 2.1 million tonnes (2.7 billion litres) by 2025, representing 0.7% of total aviation fuel production and 13% of global renewable fuel capacity.

‘SAF volumes are increasing, but at a disappointing rate. Governments are sending mixed signals to oil companies, which continue to receive subsidies for exploration and production of fossil oil and gas. Investors in the new generation of fuel producers seem to be waiting for assurances of easy money before going all in. With airlines, the core of the value chain, posting net profits of just 3.6 per cent, SAF investors’ earnings expectations need to be slow and steady, not fast and furious. But there is no doubt that airlines are eager to buy SAFs and that investors and companies that see a long-term future in decarbonisation can make money. Governments can accelerate progress by reducing subsidies for fossil fuel production and replacing them with strategic production incentives and clear policies that support a future built on renewable energy, including SAFs,’ said Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association.