In an effort to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry, Honeywell has introduced a new hydrocracking technology that can produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from biomass. This innovative technology not only produces 3-5% more SAF than traditional methods but also reduces costs by up to 20% and minimizes waste streams compared to other hydroprocessing technologies.
The FT Unicracking technology, developed by Honeywell, 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. With the growing demand for SAF, limited supplies of traditional feedstocks like vegetable oils, animal fats and waste oils have made it challenging for the aviation industry to keep up with the pace of production. However, this new technology provides an opportunity to expand feedstock options to more plentiful sources like agricultural residues and municipal solid waste.
Honeywell’s FT Unicracking technology has been selected by DG Fuels for its biofuels manufacturing facility in Louisiana. This facility is expected to produce 13,000 barrels of SAF daily by 2028 and will become the world’s largest SAF producer from the Fischer-Tropsch process. By doing so, DG Fuels will supply fuel for over 30,000 transatlantic flights annually and significantly reduce 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. This significant step forward in supporting sustainable air travel is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration between companies working towards a common goal of reducing our carbon footprint.