Sustainable Aviation Fuel’s Global Growth and Asia Pacific’s Emerging Leadership

By Flyn van Ewijk, Regional Director – Asia Pacific, LanzaJet

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) continues to gain traction as a cornerstone of the aviation industry’s journey toward net-zero emissions. 2024 was a transformative year for SAF, marked by significant global advancements in scaling production, the introduction of supportive policies, and the emergence of new challenges — and opportunities — for the sector.

While much attention has been given to U.S. policy uncertainty, it’s clear that the momentum behind SAF is accelerating in other regions. Asia Pacific, in particular, is emerging as a leader, with growing government support, abundant feedstocks, and a rapidly expanding aviation market. Asia Pacific nations have an opportunity to continue their strong momentum in SAF production and policy.

Progress in Scaling SAF Production Globally

Over the past year, SAF production saw unprecedented growth as governments, airlines, and technology providers collaborated to address the dual challenge of reducing aviation’s carbon footprint while meeting growing air travel demand. In Europe, the European Union’s RefuelEU initiative and the UK’s SAF mandate have proved instrumental in accelerating SAF adoption by driving major investments in production facilities. My company, LanzaJet, is a global SAF technology provider and fuels producer with projects all over the world – including the U.K. (Project Speedbird), the U.S. (Freedom Pines Fuels), and right here in Australia (Jet Zero Australia’s Project Ulysses).

Asia Pacific as a region also gained momentum in their efforts to support the development of SAF. Singapore solidified its position as a regional SAF hub, and countries like Japan and South Korea announced significant public-private partnerships to accelerate SAF production. LanzaJet has been actively contributing to this regional progress, working with partners to bring scalable SAF solutions to market. 

In Japan, LanzaJet is working alongside Mitsui & Co. and Cosmo Oil to introduce our Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology, positioning the country as a leader in ethanol-based SAF production. Similarly, in Australia, we have partnered with Jet Zero Australia on Project Ulysses and Wagner Sustainable Fuels to establish the country’s first ATJ SAF production facilities. These collaborations are critical in demonstrating that SAF can be scaled across diverse geographies and feedstock sources.

Policy and Regulatory Support for SAF

Globally, governments are implementing policies to incentivize SAF production and adoption. The European Union’s and UK’s SAF blending mandates, requiring airlines to use minimum percentages of SAF, are shaping demand and providing market certainty. Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations have created a favourable landscape for SAF producers.

The United States has historically been a major driver of SAF innovation and while there currently are some questions about what the new administration’s approach will be to renewable fuels policy, there continues to be a growing number of state-based incentives being considered for adoption.

LanzaJet continues to expand its global footprint, with ongoing feasibility studies in India and Kazakhstan to assess SAF production potential in emerging markets. These initiatives highlight the growing recognition that SAF must be developed at scale worldwide — not just in traditional markets like the U.S. and Europe.

Asia Pacific: A Rising Force in SAF

Asia Pacific’s potential to become a SAF powerhouse is undeniable. As the fastest-growing aviation market globally, the region is uniquely positioned to lead the SAF transition. Its abundant sustainable feedstocks — ranging from agricultural residues to waste sources — offer a robust resource base for large-scale SAF production.

Countries across the region are already taking steps to seize this opportunity. Singapore has announced plans to introduce a levy in airline tickets, the proceeds of which will be used to purchase enough SAF to meet 1% of their jet fuel needs in 2026. Japan has set ambitious targets to achieve a 10% SAF blend by 2030, backed by government funding and industry collaboration. South Korea has made SAF priority and plans to be the world’s largest exporter of SAF by 2030. 

Australia is also doing the necessary work and collaborating with industry to identify the right supply side and demand side policy settings needed to drive the industry forward. As part of these efforts, LanzaJet is working closely with policymakers and industry leaders across the Asia Pacific region to provide scalable SAF solutions. In addition to Project Ulysses in Australia, our partnerships in Japan and emerging markets like India demonstrate the region’s ability to build a competitive SAF ecosystem that supports energy security, job creation, and economic growth.

In Southeast Asia, nations like Thailand and Malaysia, with their vast supply of agricultural residues and waste materials, are exploring pathways to produce SAF sustainably. 

The Global Opportunities

With its burgeoning aviation sector and proactive government policies, Asia Pacific is well-positioned to increase its leadership. By fostering public-private partnerships, scaling SAF production, and advancing feedstock innovations, the region could set new benchmarks for the global SAF industry.

Moreover, expanding SAF production through strategic investments would allow Asia Pacific to establish itself as a leading exporter, creating a globally competitive industry capable of supplying airlines in Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. 

Looking Ahead

The SAF industry’s progress in 2024 demonstrates the power of collaboration and innovation. Yet, headwinds remain. Governments must quickly provide clear, stable policy frameworks to encourage investment and scale production. Industry must continue to innovate, finding ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Asia Pacific has a strong opportunity to lead the SAF revolution. By capitalizing on its natural resources, aviation growth, and supportive policies, the region can help redefine the future of sustainable aviation and emerge as a critical player in the quest for cleaner skies.