Japan's JGC and Cosmo to begin jet biofuel production in 2025

Japanese engineering company JGC Holdings and petroleum wholesaler Cosmo Oil are commercializing jet biofuel in Japan for the first time, targeting aviation companies that are under pressure to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to meet green credentials, Nikkei has learned. Biofuels, also called sustainable aviation fuel, are made from waste plastics or biomass such as algae and wood chips. JGC and Cosmo are planning to use waste cooking oil collected by Kyoto-based Revo International from restaurants and food factories. The companies are planning to start production in 2025 in Osaka. Total carbon dioxide emissions from raw materials procurement through burning in jet engines is estimated to be as much as 80-90% lower compared to traditional jet fuel. Major airlines Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways have both already started using SAF, and are set to expand usage in order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. SAF does not reduce emissions to zero, but is widely adopted in Europe and other regions. Commercialization of technologies such as electric airplanes, which emit no carbon dioxide, is expected to take some time. JGC and others are investing billions of yen to build a factory at Cosmo's oil plant in Osaka's Sakai city to produce up to 30,000 kiloliters of jet biofuel per year. The companies are to get subsidies from the government-backed New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization. Story has more.<br/>