US scientists have developed a new method for converting high-strength organic wastewater into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The method uses methane-arrested anaerobic digestion (MAAD) technology to convert high-strength organic wastewater into volatile fatty acids, which can be upgraded to SAF. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory stated that the cost-competitive sustainable aviation fuel could reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the aviation industry by up to 70%.

According to researchers, Argonne laboratory’s life cycle and techno-economic models were used to analyze the environmental impacts and economic viability of the SAF.

Carbon-rich wastewater from breweries and dairy farms was used as a feedstock for the technology instead of conventional sources such as oil, fat, and grease. The wastewater streams are rich in organics, and treating them with traditional wastewater treatment methods is carbon-intensive.

Though lactic acids limit the production of SAF from volatile fatty acids, The Argonne MAAD technology overcame this challenge.

Neste Corp. on Oct. 24 released third quarter financial results, reporting that its renewables segment has been impacted by overcapacity and lower-than-expected voluntary demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

Heikki Malinen, president and CEO of Neste, said overcapacity in renewable fuel markets is creating pressure on margins.

Neste Corp. on Oct. 24 released third quarter financial results, reporting that its renewables segment has been impacted by overcapacity and lower-than-expected voluntary demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

With the relatively weak market for renewable products and slower-than-anticipated SAF sales, Neste’s comparable EBITDA for the third quarter was EUR 293 million, compared to EUR 1.047 billion during the same period of last year. Renewable products comparable sales margin was $341 per ton, down from $912 per ton. 

For the full year 2024, Neste expects continued market volatility. Renewable products sales volumes, however, are expected be up when compared to last year, reaching approximately 3.9 million metric tons. SAF is expected to account for 350,000 to 550,000 metric tons of that volume. The full-year average comparable sales margins for renewable products is expected to be the range of $360 to $480 per ton. 

According to the company, renewable products’ full-year sales volume is impacted by the planned maintenance shutdowns and the ramp up timeline of Martinez Renewables joint operation. Singapore’s new line is scheduled to have an eight-week maintenance shutdown in the fourth quarter, after which full capacity is expected to be reached. The Martinez facility is targeted to be able to run at 100% by the end of the year. Neste also noted it optimizes its production capacity utilization in renewable products according to the market situation. SAF sales are expected to increase towards the end of the year.

Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) as a formal member of the growing sustainability advocacy campaign focused on advancing the business aviation industry’s commitment to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The partnership was announced at the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas.The announcement comes one year after the advocacy initiative launched at the 2023 edition of NBAA-BACE.

Unifuel Technologies (Unifuel) announced on 22 October that it has closed a $3 million financing round for its Flexiforming technology, which the company says can reduce SAF production costs by up to 50 per cent and associated carbon emissions by up to 75 per cent.

The seed round, led by TO VC with participation from Alchemist Accelerator, Claire Technologies and World Star Aviation, will support advances in the company’s proprietary Flexiforming process and help establish lab space in Texas for SAF sample production.