A Game-Changer for the Aviation Industry
The aviation industry, a major contributor to global carbon emissions, is facing a significant challenge in its quest for sustainability. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has emerged as a promising solution, but its high cost and limited production capacity have hindered its widespread adoption. However, a new technology developed by Honeywell offers a glimmer of hope.
Honeywell's hydrocracking technology can convert biomass into SAF, offering several advantages over existing methods. It can produce 3-5% more SAF, reduce production costs by up to 20%, and generate fewer waste streams. Additionally, Honeywell's Fischer-Tropsch (FT) UnicrackingTM technology can utilize leftovers from crops, wood waste, or food scraps to produce SAF that meets strict industry standards and boasts a lower environmental impact.
This technology has already garnered interest from companies like DG Fuels, which plans to use Honeywell's FT Unicracking technology for its biofuels manufacturing facility in Louisiana. This facility, slated to begin operations in 2028, will produce 13,000 barrels of SAF daily, enough to fuel over 30,000 transatlantic flights annually. This significant contribution will play a crucial role in reducing the carbon footprint of global air travel and support the industry's goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Honeywell's EcofiningTM process has been commercially producing SAF since 2016, and the company now offers solutions for a variety of feedstocks to meet the growing demand for renewable fuels. With over 50 sites globally licensing Honeywell's SAF technologies, refineries are projected to exceed a combined capacity of 500,000 barrels of SAF per day once fully operational. This advancement marks a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the aviation industry.