The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office, released the first two parts of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) State-of-Industry Report.

The report focuses on how to achieve the near-term fuel production goals set forth in the SAF Grand Challenge, a joint effort between DOE, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other federal government agencies.

Two parts of the report have been released today:

• Part 1 examines the overall state of the SAF production process and covers challenges and gaps in meeting near-term targets associated with the SAF Grand Challenge. This segment of the report is designed to address broad challenges facing the bioenergy industry when producing SAF and is not specific to any single feedstock or production pathway.
• Part 2 specifically focuses on evaluating the current supply chain for the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway. Facilities using this pathway are already producing volumes of liquid fuel today, and they are expected to play a major role in meeting the 2030 production target from the SAF Grand Challenge. This segment of the report looks at potential obstacles that could hinder the commercial production and use of SAF from these facilities.

As part of developing this report, NREL conducted extensive discussions, consultations, and collaborative sessions with stakeholders in the SAF supply chain.

NREL and DOE would like this report to be a resource for the emerging SAF production industry, and foster communication among the stakeholders involved in the SAF supply chain. Additional sections of the report looking at other commercial and near-commercial pathways expected to contribute to near-term SAF volumetric goals will follow in coming fiscal years.

View the SAF State-of-Industry Reports here: State of SAF Production Process and Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids Pathway