June 21, 2021
BY Velocys
Velocys plc, the sustainable fuels technology company, is pleased to announce that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced by the company’s proprietary technology using woody biomass residue feedstock has been used in a commercial flight by Japan Airlines.
Japan Airlines flight (JAL #515) from Tokyo to Sapporo was completed on June 17.
This important milestone follows on from the collaboration agreement signed with Toyo Engineering Corp. to commence the development of Toyo’s commercial projects to produce SAF and other renewable fuels in Japan using Velocys micro-channel FT technology.
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The flight is the first commercial flight in the world to use SAF derived from gasified wood-chips synthesized into aviation fuel. The fuel was produced in a Velocys FT reactor from the hydrogen and carbon gases generated by the gasification of the wood-chips at the demonstration plant in Nagoya in 2020. This facility produced 2,366L of neat aviation fuel blendstock which was tested to ensure that it met the required international standard, ASTM D7566 Annex1. SAF that meets this specification can be blended into conventional jet fuel at any ratio from a small fraction up to 50 percemt.
Henrik Wareborn, CEO of Velocys, said, “Velocys is pleased to announce the validation of SAF derived from woody biomass as evidenced by the use of 25 percent SAF blend in this first in the world commercial flight using wood-chips derived jet fuel.
“SAF synthesized with the Velocys FT technology from gasified forestry residue has a 70 percet lower carbon intensity than conventional fossil jet fuel. In addition, FT-SAF offers significant additional air quality improvements thanks to 90 percent lower particulate emissions, 99 percent lower sulphur emissions and lower nitrogen oxide emissions than conventional fossil fuels.”
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Haruo Nagamatsu, CEO of TOYO, said, “The Velocys technology demonstrated high efficiency and stable performance at the NEDO pilot plant, and contributed to the production of high-quality SAF, green naphtha and green diesel.”
BWC Terminals on April 22 celebrated the official completion of its expanded renewable fuels terminal at the Port of Stockton. The facility is designed to safely and efficiently transfer renewable diesel and biodiesel from marine vessels.
Repsol and Bunge on April 25 announced plans to incorporate the use of camelina and safflower feedstocks in the production of renewable fuels, including renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Renewable Fuels Month highlights the importance of renewable biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel. The month of May marks the beginning of the summer driving season, making it an ideal time to fuel up on clean and cost-saving biofuels.
PBF Energy on May 1 announced that its St. Bernard Renewables facility produced approximately 10,000 barrels per day of renewable diesel during Q1, down from 17,000 barrels per day during the Q4 2024.
Germany-based Mabanaft on April 17 announced it started to supply SAF to airlines at Frankfurt Airport in January. The company said it will deliver more than 1,000 metric tons of SAF to the airport this year under the European SAF mandate.