Boeing: Southeast Asia Primed to Play Key Role in Growth of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry

September 5, 2024
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  • New research projects region’s available bio-based feedstocks can produce around 12% of global SAF needed by 2050 to achieve commercial aviation’s net zero goal
  • Rice husks/straw are the region’s top SAF feedstock by availability and sustainability
  • Building a regional SAF ecosystem will benefit Southeast Asia’s environment and economies

Southeast Asia’s feedstocks can supply approximately 12% of global sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) demand to meet the commercial aviation industry’s net-zero goal by 2050, according to a report developed by Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and supported by Boeing [NYSE: BA].

The sustainable feedstock assessment, encompassing 11 countries across Southeast Asia, found that the region’s bio-based feedstock capacity can produce approximately 45.7 million metric tons of SAF per year by 2050. Furthermore:

  • Approximately 75% of potential SAF feedstock can be sourced from post-consumer and agricultural waste including cassava, sugarcane, and municipal solid waste;
  • Rice husks and straw are by far the most significant SAF feedstocks in the region when compared to other agricultural residues;
  • Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines’ total feedstock availability accounts for about 90% of the region’s SAF supply capacity.

“This research affirms Southeast Asia’s diverse SAF feedstock availability and immense potential for helping meet global demand for SAF,” said Sharmine Tan, Boeing’s regional sustainability lead for Southeast Asia. “With regional governments and industry working together on sustainability polices and infrastructure investment, scaling local production and building a regional SAF capability provides Southeast Asia an exciting opportunity to help shape a more sustainable future of flight while protecting its environment and growing its economy.”

Unblended, or “neat” SAF, which is totally free of fossil fuels, offers the largest potential to reduce aviation’s carbon emissions over the next 30 years, as it can reduce emissions over the fuel’s lifecycle by up to 84%. In 2023, SAF only accounted for 0.2% of global commercial fuel use.

“Our research considers not only the potential volumes of feedstock available in Southeast Asia, but also their environmental and social sustainability in terms of impacts on deforestation, water, and food security,” said Arianna Baldo, RSB’s Programme Director. “These results can help guide future SAF feedstock supply including the exploration of other agricultural and industrial waste materials.”

Boeing is working locally to scale SAF globally through region and country-specific roadmaps and feedstock analyses with local partners and governments. The company’s efforts spanning over a dozen countries worldwide – including Australia & New Zealand and Japan – contribute to ICAO’s Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) Program.