Japan Races to Collect Used Cooking Oil for SAF Production

Japan is stepping up efforts to collect used cooking oil (UCO) as it seeks to meet its target of supplying 10% of aviation fuel demand with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030. Through initiatives such as the “Fry to Fly” program, households, restaurants, supermarkets, and corporate cafeterias are being encouraged to recycle waste cooking oil for fuel production.

However, significant challenges remain. Japan is expected to require around 1.7 million kiloliters of SAF annually by 2030, while current domestic production accounts for only a small fraction of that demand. Industry participants warn that limited feedstock availability, high production costs, and insufficient collection infrastructure could slow progress.

Major energy companies, airlines, and local governments are investing in SAF projects and expanding waste oil collection networks. Nevertheless, experts believe domestic UCO supplies alone will be insufficient to meet future demand, making imports and alternative SAF pathways increasingly important. The situation highlights the growing competition for sustainable feedstocks as countries around the world accelerate efforts to decarbonize the aviation sector.