What is SAF made from?
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can be produced from a variety of sustainable resources, also known as feedstocks. This includes forestry and agricultural waste, used cooking oil, carbon captured from the air, and green hydrogen. SkyNRG does not use food crops, like soy and palm oil as these sources can be responsible for high rates of deforestation.
Read more on SAF technologies
There are various technologies to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Learn more about these techniques on our technology page.
Visit our Technology pageHow is SAF more sustainable?
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can be made from waste streams, which otherwise would be thrown away (such as used cooking oil). It can also be produced using renewable feedstocks such as agricultural or forestry waste. When produced from renewable feedstocks SAF only emits the same amount of carbon to the atmosphere as was previously absorbed by its feedstock, thereby closing the carbon loop. This reduces emissions, significantly lowering the aviation industry’s carbon footprint and dependency on fossil fuels.
What are the benefits of SAF compared to fossil jet fuel?
Based on our own Life Cycle Analysis, a specific batch of SAF can reduce emissions around 85%, compared to fossil jet fuel over its entire life span. This includes production, distribution, transportation and combustion. It can also reduce other harmful emissions like particulates and sulfur by 90% and 100% respectively. These reductions are critical ways to reduce the impact of climate change on our planet.
SkyNRG Sustainable Aviation Fuel Market Outlook 2025
SkyNRG releases fifth Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Market Outlook, developed in close collaboration with ICF today. This year’s edition highlights both the progress made and the important steps still needed to ensure a resilient, scalable SAF industry capable of meeting long-term decarbonization goals.
For detailed insights and to download the full report, see below.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Market Outlook 2025
Curious how we can help? Tell us who you are
SAF FOR AIRLINES
When you use SAF to fly your customers and staff, you are actively contributing to your own sustainability goals, as well as those of the wider aviation industry.
SAF FOR CORPORATIONS
By taking part in our Board Now program, you are one of the companies making a commitment to sustainable air travel. Supporting the production and growth of a greener alternative to fossil jet fuel
SAF FOR TRAVEL COMPANIES
People want to support companies who are taking action on climate change – our Fly on SAF program can help you to support your customers in reducing their carbon footprint
SAF FOR TRAVELERS
When flying is essential, you can still reduce your carbon emissions and explore the world in a more sustainable way. How? By choosing Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF.
TALK TO US
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Oskar Meijerink
Head of Future Fuels
SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is an alternative to fossil fuel, derived from sustainable resources like agricultural waste. Known as a “drop-in” fuel, it requires no modifications to aircraft or infrastructure. SAF can cut carbon emissions by up to 80%, significantly reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels.
SAF can be produced from various sustainable feedstocks such as agricultural waste, used cooking oil, and industrial waste. Future feedstocks may include forestry residues and non-biobased carbon. SkyNRG does not use food crops like soy and palm oil to avoid contributing to deforestation.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can be produced using several methods. The main pathways include Fischer-Tropsch (FT), Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), Synthesized Iso-Paraffins (SIP), Alcohol to Jet (AtJ), Catalytic Hydrothermolysis (CHJ), Hydroprocessed Hydrocarbons, Esters and Fatty Acids (HC-HEFA), and Co-processing. Each method transforms various feedstocks into jet fuel using different technologies.
For more detailed information, visit our Technology Basics page.
Jet fuel is derived from petroleum and is the conventional fuel used in aviation. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), on the other hand, is produced from renewable resources like agricultural waste, used cooking oil, and other sustainable feedstocks. Unlike traditional jet fuel, SAF can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% and can be used as a “drop-in” fuel, meaning it can be mixed with conventional jet fuel without requiring modifications to aircraft or infrastructure.
SAF offers several significant benefits over fossil jet fuel:
Emission Reductions: SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80%, addressing both direct and indirect emissions from production to combustion.
Cleaner Air: It also reduces particulate matter and sulfur emissions by 90% and 100%, respectively, contributing to improved air quality.
Sustainability: SAF is produced from renewable and sustainable resources, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and promoting a circular economy
Despite its benefits, SAF does have some disadvantages:
Cost: SAF is currently more expensive than conventional jet fuel, often ranging from two to five times the cost, which can be a barrier to widespread adoption.
Limited Production: The global production capacity of SAF is still small, accounting for only about 0.1% of the total jet fuel market. This limited availability makes it challenging to meet the growing demand and scale up usage
SAF’s higher cost and limited production capacity hinder its widespread adoption. Expanding production and developing cost-effective methods are crucial for increased use.
Currently, there is not enough Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to meet global demand. SAF accounts for only about 0.1% of the total jet fuel market. The limited availability is due to the relatively small production capacity and higher costs compared to traditional jet fuel. Efforts are ongoing to expand production facilities and develop cost-effective methods to increase the supply of SAF. SkyNRG, for example, is working on building dedicated SAF production plants in Europe and the US to help meet the rising demand.