Jia’ao Environmental Protection announced on May 7 that the company’s controlling subsidiary, Lianyungang Jia’ao New Energy Co., Ltd. has successfully completed the first batch of about 13,400 tons of bio-jet fuel marketed and sold, realizing the first domestic compliant export delivery. This marks the key breakthrough from R&D to industrialization of the bio-jet fuel project after the company obtained the export qualification.
On April 25, Bangchak Group officially opened its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production unit at its refinery in Phra Khanong, marking an important step in Thailand’s green aviation fuel sector. The unit is operated by Bangchak’s subsidiary, BSGF Company Ltd. and adheres to the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification System (ISCC) standards.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Princess Sirindhorn, a member of Thailand’s royal family, demonstrating the country’s strong focus on sustainable energy development, and is the first stand-alone pure SAF production facility in Thailand to realize the integration of the full value chain from raw material sourcing, processing to product distribution, said Chaiwat Kovavisarach, CEO and President of Bangchak Group.
The new plant uses proven Hydrogenated Ester and Fatty Acid (HEFA) technology to produce up to 1 million liters (264,000 gallons) per day from fatty acids such as waste cooking oil or vegetable oils. In addition to the main product, pure SAF, the plant will also produce by-products such as bio-liquefied petroleum gas and bio-naphtha. The facility is currently in the performance commissioning phase and full commercial operation is imminent.
SK Incheon Petrochemicals announced on April 30 that it has officially launched and started supplying B30 marine biofuel in response to the shipping industry’s policy requirement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The B30 fuel, which contains 30% bio-based components, was developed to meet the growing demand for sustainability in the shipping industry. The fuel is a 7:3 blend of SK Incheon Petrochemical’s straight-run fuel oil (SRFO) and biofuel supplied by JC Chemical.
The product, jointly developed by SK Incheon Petrochemical and SK Innovation’s Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, complies with the ISO 8217 international standard for marine fuels and was officially launched in the market on April 26th.
Japan Airlines announced on May 1 that it has supplied nationally produced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the first time to a passenger flight at Kansai International Airport (KIX), Japan Airlines Flight JL891 (Kansai to Shanghai Pudong).
According to the airline, SAF supplier Saffaire Sky Energy LLC has received ISCC CORSIA certification for the first time in Japan.
The certified SAF is mass-produced at the manufacturing facility located at the Cosmo Oil Sakai refinery.
The airline said the domestic SAF supply chain has officially begun operations with the successful supply to passenger flights.
In the aviation industry, ICAO has set a target to reduce emissions from international flights by 15 percent from 2019 levels from 2024 onwards, and to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Neste Corporation, headquartered in Espoo, Finland, is the world’s leading producer of renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and renewable feedstock solutions for the chemical industry. Founded in 1948, Neste has transformed from a traditional oil refining company into a global pioneer in renewable energy and sustainable solutions.
Neste’s renewable products are primarily made from waste and residues, such as used cooking oil and animal fats, helping to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. With an annual renewable production capacity of approximately 5.5 million tons, Neste supplies its products globally, serving customers in transportation, aviation, and chemical sectors.
Neste’s strategic investments include major renewable production facilities in Finland, Singapore, and the Netherlands. Recognized consistently in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, Neste is committed to supporting the transition toward a carbon-neutral future through innovation, partnerships, and responsible sourcing.
Cosmo Oil Marketing, a subsidiary of Cosmo Energy Holdings, has signed a basic agreement with Starlux Airlines to promote sustainable aviation transport through the supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
The SAF involved under this agreement was commercialized with subsidies from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in 2021, aiming to establish a domestic supply chain model using waste cooking oil in Japan.
Cosmo Energy highlights that this SAF is the first domestically produced and mass-produced SAF in Japan, certified under ISCC CORSIA and ISCC EU standards. The fuel will be produced by SAFFAIRE SKY ENERGY LLC, a joint venture between Cosmo Oil, JGC Holdings, and REVO International. Supply to Starlux Airlines at Kobe Airport is scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2025 through the Cosmo Energy Group.
Bin Zayed International (BZI), the UAE’s largest investment group, will invest $500 million (about RM2.188 billion) to build a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) refinery at Port Klang, partnering with Malaysia’s FatHopes Energy (FHE).
The project aims to help Malaysia achieve an annual SAF production target of 1 million tonnes, positioning the country as a regional clean energy hub. Construction is expected to begin within 12 months, with operations targeted for early 2026.
The refinery will have an initial capacity of 300,000 tonnes per year, using mainly waste and residual oils, and will adopt Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) technology. Output will serve both domestic and international markets.
BZI Managing Director Dato’ Sri Shamir Ghuma said the investment reflects the group’s commitment to sustainable development. Malaysia’s Natural Resources Minister Nik Nazmi added the project will boost Malaysia’s energy security, reduce import reliance, and contribute to national net-zero goals.
BZI will also acquire a strategic stake in FHE to ensure long-term collaboration and innovation. Full commercial operations are expected by 2029.
As part of its drive for a low-carbon transition, Skoda has officially launched HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil) synthetic diesel fuel at its Czech plant as an initial filler fuel for new production diesel models and for its in-house logistics fleet.The HVO fuel, which is made from the hydrotreating of waste fats, oils, and used cooking oils, is not reliant on crop cultivation, avoids the need to use arable land, and cuts carbon emissions by as much as 90% compared to conventional diesel fuel. The fuel is supplied by the Czech state-owned company ČEPRO.
Not only that, but all 2022 model year and newer Skoda diesel models produced from the 25th week of 2021 have been approved to use HVO fuel. Compliant models will be marked with the ‘XTL’ logo on the fuel cap. For older models, customers can check with an authorized Skoda dealer to confirm compatibility. HVO and its blends are now widely available across Europe, offering consumers a more environmentally friendly choice.
According to Karsten Schnake, Skoda’s Director of Purchasing and Sustainability, the Czech plant’s logistics fleet will use approximately 46,000 liters of HVO fuel in the second half of 2024 alone, a reduction of more than 300 tons of carbon emissions, which is a key part of Skoda’s plan to make all of its plants in the Czech Republic and India carbon-neutral operations by 2030.
By doing so, Skoda not only strengthens its position as an industry leader in green manufacturing, but also sets a practical example for the decarbonization of the automotive industry as a whole.
April 24 – Total Energy has announced plans to restructure its petrochemicals business at its refinery in Antwerp, Belgium. One of the planned changes is to increase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production capacity through co-processing.
According to Total Energy, the initial SAF project in Antwerp is expected to achieve a capacity of 50,000 tons/year of SAF.SAF will be produced through co-processing, a production method that enables the simultaneous processing of hydrocarbons and biomass in a conventional refinery unit.Production of SAF is expected to begin later this year.
April 24th, Taiwan’s CNPC cooperated with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) to pilot the plan of importing 1,000 tons of SAF, and added flights for the first time on April 23rd, symbolizing that SAF set sail.
The import of SAF is just the beginning, Taoyuan Refinery is preparing for the SAF refining process, and it is expected that after the completion of the catalyst import, it will be able to start its own production of SAF in the second quarter of next year, and then it will be batch-matched with production according to the customer’s demand.