Committed to achieving net zero by 2050, the aviation is facing a critical challenge: achieving the required production levels and adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Asked whether the aviation industry is on course to meet its sustainability target, Willie Coetzee, Honeywell’s Director of Government Relations, was optimistic from a technology standpoint.
“From a technology perspective, the answer is a resounding yes,” he said. “Our ability to produce SAF at scale and create more efficient aircraft equipment like SAF capable auxiliary power units is well-established.”
Honeywell’s Ecofining process, the cornerstone of its SAF technology, has matured over nearly two decades.
“Our technology allows us to convert a vast range of feedstocks into renewable fuels, ensuring flexibility and scalability,” Coetzee explained.
However, he emphasised the need for policies that allow flexibility to use all demonstrably sustainable feedstock usage, calling such measures “critical for the future of SAF production.”
Importance of feedstocks
Honeywell’s Ecofining process focuses on converting waste products such as used cooking oil, animal fats, and by-products from industries like paper and pulp into SAF. These feedstocks offer a circular economy model, significantly reducing carbon emissions.
“You’re essentially recycling CO₂ from the atmosphere through these processes,” Coetzee noted.
“Depending on the feedstock, we can decrease the carbon footprint by up to 80%, and in some cases even higher.”
In addition to traditional bio-feedstocks, Honeywell also offers innovative commercial options to convert feeds such as converting ethanol, CO₂, and green hydrogen into SAF.
“The technology is versatile and capable of enabling a wide array of sustainable materials to be transformed into high-value fuels.”
Honeywell’s Ecofining technology has a long history, dating back to 2007, with significant milestones along the way.
“We flew the first transatlantic flight using SAF in 2011,” Coetzee shared.
The technology borrows from traditional fossil fuel refining methods like hydroprocessing and hydrocracking.
“We’ve fine-tuned these processes to handle bio-feedstocks instead of fossil oil,” Coetzee explained.
“This includes removing contaminants, maximising jet fuel yield, and improving fuel properties for aviation.”
One of the latest success stories comes from St1, a Swedish energy company using Honeywell’s Ecofining technology. St1’s Gothenburg plant is expected to produce up to 200,000 tonnes of renewable fuels, including SAF annually. St1 reported the fuels produced at the biorefinery will reduce road and air traffic emissions by about 500,000 tons of CO₂ annually compared to fossil fuels.
“St1 is a fantastic example of what’s possible,” Coetzee said.
“Their facility is performing even better than anticipated, showcasing the viability of this technology.”
Scaling SAF Production
Scaling SAF to meet global demand remains a significant challenge. Honeywell has sold more than 53 licences for renewable fuel production globally, with ten facilities already operational and more set to come online.
“These projects take four to five years to go from concept to operation. But with 500,000 barrels of renewable fuel capacity per day projected across our licensed sites, the scale is becoming comparable to major fossil fuel refineries.”
The emergence of complementary technologies, such as eFining, which converts CO₂ and green hydrogen into SAF, offers further potential.
“We’re now looking at how technologies like CO₂ conversion and forestry waste can take us to the next level,” Coetzee explained.
While technology has advanced rapidly, Coetzee highlighted policy constraints as a significant barrier.
“We need policies that allow for the use of diverse, certifiably sustainable feedstocks,” he said.
Market dynamics also play a role. “We see strong demand from some customers, even before mandates come into effect, which is promising,” Coetzee noted.
He cited Europe as an example, where pricing mechanisms and mandates are creating a conducive environment for SAF adoption.
Collaboration is key to scaling SAF adoption. Honeywell works closely with aviation stakeholders to ensure the technology aligns with operational needs.
“We engage airline operators and airport authorities to help them understand SAF’s impact and benefits,” Coetzee said.
The company is also leading by example by integrating SAF use into its own testing and certification processes.
“We’ve run engines on 100 percent SAF and are actively contributing to the specifications that allow airlines to use these fuels,” Coetzee remarked.
Honeywell is optimistic about the role of innovation and industry collaboration in achieving net-zero goals.
“The will to innovate is immense,” Coetzee concluded. “By maintaining and improving our ability to use sustainable feedstocks, we can ensure a robust and scalable path to decarbonisation.”
