Honeywell, a US-based technology company, has introduced groundbreaking technology aimed at revolutionizing the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), addressing the pressing need to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry.
With airlines accounting for approximately 2.5% of global carbon emissions, the demand for SAF as an alternative to traditional jet fuel has surged. However, the high cost and limited production capacity of SAF have hindered its widespread adoption.
To tackle these challenges, Honeywell has developed innovative hydrocracking technology capable of producing SAF from biomass at a significantly lower cost.
Ken West, president and CEO of Honeywell Energy and Sustainability Solutions, highlights the importance of expanding feedstock options within the industry to tap into more abundant sources.
"By leveraging Honeywell's hydrocracking technology in conjunction with the Fischer-Tropsch process, airlines can now access SAF derived from a wider range of sources, including vegetable oils, animal fats, and waste oils," West said.
"This breakthrough technology not only increases SAF production capacity but also reduces production costs by up to 20%," he added.
Honeywell's Fischer-Tropsch (FT) UnicrackingTM technology plays a pivotal role in converting biomass-derived liquids and waxes into high-quality SAF that meets stringent aviation industry standards.
Moreover, it minimises by-product waste streams, making the production process more environmentally sustainable.
DG Fuels, a US-based company specialising in biofuels production, has already chosen Honeywell's FT Unicracking technology for its upcoming SAF manufacturing facility in Louisiana.
Scheduled to commence operations in 2028, the facility is projected to produce 13,000 barrels of SAF daily, significantly contributing to reducing carbon emissions from air travel.
Michael Darcy, CEO of DG Fuels, underscores the transformative impact of Honeywell's advanced technology on the airline industry's sustainability goals.
By supplying SAF for thousands of transatlantic flights annually, DG Fuels aims to play a pivotal role in achieving net-zero carbon emissions from international aviation by 2050.
Honeywell's commitment to advancing sustainable aviation extends beyond SAF production.
Since 2016, the company has commercially produced SAF using its EcofiningTM process and continues to offer innovative solutions across various feedstocks to meet the escalating demand for renewable fuels.
Over 50 sites worldwide have licensed Honeywell's SAF technologies, with refineries poised to surpass a combined capacity of 500,000 barrels per day upon full operation.
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