Unlocking the fuel of the future: integration strategies for eSAF Collaboration between Johnson Matthey and Honeywell UOP demonstrates the potential of methanol-to-jet technology in producing sustainable aviation fuel
Zinovia Skoufa Johnson Matthey Leigh Abrams Honeywell UOP
Introduction As the world grapples with the pressing need for sustainable energy solutions, the aviation industry stands at a pivotal juncture. Integrating sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), particularly eSAF, into the fuel supply chain is critical to achieving ambitious climate goals. Recent legislative changes underscore the urgency of this transition, mandating higher blends of SAF in a number of different geographies, including the EU, UK, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, and Japan. The EU SAF blend requirements are shown in Figure 1 . The collaboration between Johnson Matthey (JM) and Honeywell UOP exemplifies the innovative approaches being adopted to produce SAF from diverse feedstocks, leveraging advanced technologies like Fisher-Tropsch (FT) and methanol-to-jet (MtJ) fuel pathways. Legislative changes and the role of SAF The EU has ambitions to reduce net greenhouse gases by 55% by 2030, with the ultimate goal of Europe becoming the world’s first climate- neutral continent by 2050. The aviation sector is an important part of this, and while alternative propulsion technologies are advancing, SAF will play a crucial role in decarbonising the aviation sector before 2050. SAF demand is driven by government incentives and mandates, with long-term demand expected to grow to nearly 28.6 million tonnes by 2050 ( European Alternative Fuels Observatory, 2025 ). eSAF-specific incentives and mandates are also significant, with ReFuelEU requirements increasing significantly over time from 1.2% in 2030 to 35% in 2050.
SAF production pathways SAF can be made using a number of different synthesis routes utilising different feedstocks, as shown in Figure 2 . SAF production via the most popular hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) route has feedstock constraints as available volumes of waste oil, fats, and greases are far below the volume needed to meet global targets, with supply becoming more scarce by 2030. Other pathways are needed to meet 2050 targets, such as FT, MtJ, and ethanol- to-jet routes to enable the use of alternative feedstocks such as waste biomass, municipal solid waste, and CO 2 from ethanol production. The collaboration between JM and Honeywell UOP aims to produce SAF from various feedstocks. This initiative builds on an existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) on low-carbon hydrogen and carbon capture, expanding to include SAF production through the FT and MtJ fuel routes.
80 90 100
% non-efuels % fossil % efuels SAF
50 70 60 30 40 10 20
0
2025
2030
2032
2035
2040
2045
2050
Year
Figure 1 EU SAF blend requirements over time
www.decarbonisationtechnology.com
41
Powered by FlippingBook