White Paper

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Navigating Early-Stage Barriers to Accelerate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Projects

The increasing efforts to decarbonize the various modes of transport for cargo and commercial flights have had a strong impact in the aviation industry. Demand for biokerosene/low carbon kerosene is growing rapidly and airlines are committing to offtake agreements to thereby increase their consumption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as a contribution towards achieving these goals. However, there are challenges that may slow down the deployment of SAF production projects such as: technology, location-related factors, resource availability, financing, regulations and others.

In this article, Axens provides an overview of SAF pathways and technologies, the challenges to overcome to ensure a smooth and sustainable SAF deployment, and the solutions that Axens and its consulting department – Axens Horizon – offer to support the industry.

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"De-risk SAF investments. Accelerate project decisions. Build with confidence.

White Paper Content

1

Introduction

Introduction: SAF to decarbonize Air Transport - The aviation industry

2

What is SAF?

SAF: Sustainable Aviation Fuel & So Amazing Fuel -
An advanced type of jet fuel derived from renewable resources and waste materials

3

Approved Production Pathways

Where are we in 2026?

› HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) - Vegan ®
› Coprocessing for SAF Production
› Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) - Jetanol®
› FT (Fischer-Tropsch) - Gasel®
› Power to liquid – PtL
› Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

4

What early-stage barriers?

SAF Projects: What early-stage barriers?

› Technological Barriers
› Economic Barriers
› Infrastructure Barriers
› Regulatory Barriers

5

Levers to De-risk and Accelerate Deployment

› Policy and Regulation
› Innovation and Investment
› Scaling
› Demand-Side Mechanisms
› Feasibility Study to derisk the SAF Projects

6

Case studies

› Case Study 1: Market Analysis & Evolution
› Case Study 2: Identify Best SAF Pathway
› Case Study 3
› Case Study 4: Example of Axens Solution implementation in the real life industry, example of coprocessing

What can you expect from this white paper?

Axens experts share practical insights to help project developers, refiners, investors and energy companies:
  •  
  • • Compare the main SAF production pathways and their maturity levels (HEFA, Coprocessing, ATJ, FT, PtL)
  • • Identify the technological, economic, infrastructure and regulatory barriers that can jeopardize a project
  • • Discover the key levers to derisk investments and accelerate deployment
  • • Learn from real project case studies and feasibility assessments conducted worldwide
  • • Understand how early-stage strategic decisions impact project profitability, carbon intensity and bankability