Honeywell has recently unveiled a new hydrocracking technology that is capable of producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from biomass, making the fuel 90% less carbon intensive than traditional fossil-based jet fuels. This innovative technology not only produces 3-5% more SAF but also reduces costs by up to 20% and minimizes by-product waste streams compared to other hydroprocessing technologies.
Honeywell’s latest offering, the FT Unicracking technology, processes waste biomass into SAF at a lower cost. The process involves extracting liquids and waxes from processed biomass such as crop leftovers, wood waste or food scraps to produce SAF that meets industry standards with a lower environmental impact.
The demand for SAF is on the rise due to the limitations in traditional feedstocks like vegetable oils, animal fats and waste oils. With Honeywell’s new technology combined with the existing Fischer-Tropsch process, the industry can expand its feedstock options to more plentiful sources, improving its ability to produce SAF.
DG Fuels has selected Honeywell’s FT Unicracking technology for its biofuels manufacturing facility in Louisiana which will become the world’s largest SAF producer from the FT process. This facility is expected to produce 13,000 barrels of SAF daily by 2028, supplying fuel for over 30,000 transatlantic flights annually and significantly reducing carbon emissions from global air travel.
Michael Darcy, CEO of DG Fuels believes that utilizing Honeywell’s advanced technology will help the airline industry achieve its goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions from international aviation by 2050 marking a significant step forward in supporting sustainable air travel.