Sustainable Aviation Fuels:
A 30,000 Foot Perspective
Chapter 3
The Role of Sustainable Aviation Fuels
Section 3.3
Feedstock Options for SAFS

SAF feedstocks range from readily convertible materials like vegetable oils and animal fats to more complex sources such as algae and municipal solid waste, each influencing the fuel’s emission reduction and viability.

Overview of SAF Feedstocks

Feedstocks are the primary materials used to produce SAFs. They determine the fuel’s overall emission reduction and viability. Spanning from conventional agricultural products to advanced sources like algae, understanding these feedstocks is essential for producing SAFs successfully.

Convertibility of SAF Feedstocks

Feedstocks can be categorized based on conversion simplicity, reflecting their current availability and potential challenges.

sketch of forest

Readily Convertible Feedstocks:

Vegetable Oils: Established feedstock for SAFs, currently used in commercial aviation.

Animal Fats: Another established source, converted through similar processes as vegetable oils.

Waste Cooking Oils: A sustainable option with early commercial use, offering a cost-effective feedstock alternative.

Intermediate Processing Needs:

Agricultural Residues: Abundant non-food biomass requiring advanced conversion technologies.

Forestry Residues: Similar to agricultural residues in potential, but with collection and transportation challenges.

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW): Diverse materials offering abundant feedstock, though conversion technologies are still developing.

Highly Specialized Processing Needs:

Algae: Offers high scalability with the possibility to cultivate on non-arable land, but still in development stages.

Water and CO2 (PtL): Produces SAFs using renewable electricity, with potential for low emissions but currently expensive and complex.

This overview navigates from simple to complex feedstocks, offering insights into the current state and future directions for SAF feedstock development.