Catalysis 2025 Issue

share of SAF in EU airports from 2025 and a 70% share of SAF in all EU airports from 2050. The landscape in the US is complex and subject to change with the new administration and US Congress. A brief case study demonstrates the US complexity. A SAF producer in California is faced with US Renewable Identification Number (RIN) values 94% of that of RD and California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credits 90% of RD credits, and subject to spot prices for jet typically some 5-6% lower than diesel. While the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) helps even the unbalance, its future is uncertain.⁵ Conclusion The production of SAF may indeed offer a better opportunity for viability in renewable fuels production in the near future. However, there is a large dependence on not only local- ised regulations and incentives but also the capital outlays involved and to be subsequently recovered. The speculative look at the economics of SAF production vs RD production is not within the scope of this article. Published case studies specific to the US and California in particular are available. 5,6 ENDEAVOR, EnRich, and EnHance are marks of ART Hydroprocessing, a Chevron and Grace joint venture. Vegan, Jetanol, Atol, and Polynaptha are marks of Axens. FT CANS is a mark of BP and Johnson Matthey. ISODEWAXING, ISOCONVERSION, ReadiJet, ReadiDiesel, and ISOTERRA are marks of Chevron Lummus Global (CLG). EMRD and BIDW are marks of ExxonMobil Catalysts & Licensing. Ecofining, eFin - ing, Renewable Diesel, Jet Fuel, GreenJet Fuel, InAlk, and Catolene are marks of Honeywell UOP. SynDol is a mark of Lummus-Braskem.

NEXBTL, MY Renewable Diesel, and MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel are marks of Neste. Shell Renewable Refining Process is a mark of Shell Catalysts & Technologies. Hummingbird is a mark of Technip. HydroFlex is a mark of Topsoe. References 1 Shiflett, W. Potential of renewable fuels and SAF. PTQ Q1 2025. 2 Maesen, T; Knob, K; Valente, R; Conway, C. ISOTERRA and Biofuels ISOCONVERSION: Advanced pathways to renewable fuels, October 19, 2021. https://chevronlummus.com/news-resources/resources/ webcast-isoterra-biofuels-isoconversion-advanced-p 3 Peters, M.A.; Alves, C.T.; Onwudili, J.A. A review of current and emerg- ing production technologies for biomass-derived sustainable aviation fuels. Energies 2023, 16, 6100. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16166100 4 Pavlenko, N; Searle, S. Assessing the sustainability implications of alternative aviation fuels, Working Paper 2021-11, 2021 International Council On Clean Transportation. https://theicct.org/wp-content/ uploads/2021/06/Alt-aviation-fuel-sustainability-mar2021.pdf 5 Mladenik, J L. The social cost of carbon Part 3: What does it cost to reduce carbon in California’s jet pool? January 8, 2022. https://stillwa- terassociates.com/the-social-cost-of-carbon-part-3-what-it-costs-to- reduce-carbon-in-californias-jet-pool/ 6 Waguespack K. It’s not enough, Part 2 – sustainable aviation fuel can only fly with more incentives . June 23, 2023. https://bakerobrien.com/ article/its-not-enough-part-2-sustainable-aviation-fuel-can-only-fly- with-more-incentives Dr Woody Shiflett is Principal of Blue Ridge Consulting LLC with a focus on renewable energy technologies and the catalysts that enable them. He has more than 40 years’ experience in fossil fuels and renewa- ble fuels processes. Email: Blueridgeconsulting 2020@outlook.com

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Catalysis 2025