A new report released by Future Energy Global (FEG) and PA Consulting looks to offer an analysis of alternative feedstocks for Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The report claims that Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) is the most commercially mature pathway toward SAF, reducing current producers’ need for feedstocks like used cooking oil (UCO) – their reliance on which is, according to FEG and PA Consulting, creating bottlenecks and threatening scalability due to current global supply constraints.
Identifying four alternative feedstocks available primarily in the US; the report, ‘Out of the Fryer’, suggests that oil crops such as soybean and canola; oilseed cover crops; animal by-products; and distillers’ corn oil, a by-product of corn harvested for food or road fuel may also be used as sources for SAF production.
Natasha Mann, FEG CEO and Co-Founder, said:Future Energy Global’s mission is to accelerate SAF scale-up to cut aviation emissions.
We’re aggregating demand to cut SAF cost to airlines. We’re pioneering Book and Claim to overcome logistics challenges. And now, with PA Consulting, we’re identifying future feedstocks that’ll enable SAF production to scale far beyond limited Used Cooking Oil supplies.
The report utilises PA Consulting’s knowledge to define three key criteria for credible, scalable and sustainable feedstocks: low lifecycle GHG emissions, avoidance of market conflicts and a mature, resilient supply chain. It also details trade-offs and numerous opportunities for airlines, SAF producers, energy players and investors.
Grant Gunter, Energy Expert at PA Consulting, said:If feedstock is to play its role in scaling SAF, we need credible, science-based strategies to address the bottlenecks which are limiting progress.
Without them, the industry risks losing momentum just as it begins to accelerate. Tackling this challenge head-on will be an important step in unlocking the next phase of sustainable aviation.
The full report is available to read here.
