The Fischer-Tropsch (FT) Unicracking technology by Honeywell uses liquids and waxes derived from processed biomass, like crop residues, wood waste, or food scraps, to produce SAF that meets aviation industry specifications.
Honeywell has announced a new hydrocracking technology that can produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from biomass with more than 90% reduction in carbon intensity compared to typical fossil-based jet fuels. The breakthrough in SAF production amplifies SAF production by 3-5% and cuts costs by up to 20% and reduces by-product waste streams compared to other hydroprocessing methods.
The Fischer-Tropsch (FT) Unicracking technology by Honeywell uses liquids and waxes derived from processed biomass, such as crop residues, wood waste, or food scraps, to produce SAF that meets aviation industry specifications with lower environmental impact. This comes after Honeywell has been working to address key megatrends, the energy transition.
“As demand for SAF continues to grow, the aviation industry is challenged by limited supplies of traditional SAF feedstocks such as vegetable oils, animal fats and waste oils,” said Ken West, president and CEO, Honeywell Energy and Sustainability Solutions. “When combined with the existing Fischer-Tropsch process, our new technology will expand the feedstock options available in the industry to sources that are more plentiful, ultimately helping improve our customers’ ability to produce SAF,” he further added.
Honeywell’s FT Unicracking technology has just been chosen by DG Fuels for its biofuels plant in Louisiana, the world’s largest SAF production facility using the FT process. Scheduled for entry into service in 2028, the plant will produce 13,000 barrels per day of SAF, significantly reducing carbon emissions in flying.
“Using Honeywell’s advanced technology, DG Fuels will supply enough fuel for more than 30,000 transatlantic flights every year, contributing significantly to reducing the carbon emissions of global air travel,” said Michael Darcy, CEO, DG Fuels. “This is a big leap forward in supporting the airline industry’s goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions from international aviation by 2050,” he further added.
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Honeywell has always been at the forefront of innovation in SAF production, and it continues to make strides in this field. Its Ecofining process, developed in 2016, has been producing commercial SAF since then. The company’s portfolio also includes Ethanol to Jet technology and eFining, which converts green hydrogen and carbon dioxide into e-fuels. On current projections, 50 sites around the world have licensed Honeywell’s SAF technologies, and refineries will reach a combined production capacity of more than 500,000 barrels of SAF per day when all of the plants are at full production.
