Honeywell, the technology energy firm and engineering company Wood are partnering for a solution that would significantly reduce the carbon footprint of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. Reuters reported this Thursday, just before the companies released their official statement.
According to the scoop, the solution will benefit producers of SAF, as a reduced carbon footprint in the production of SAF would make them more easily eligible for subsidies and other financial advantages. Especially at a time when the Biden administration is seeking to decarbonize the U.S. economy.
SAF production has become one key element in the race for reaching net-zero, as airplanes are harder to electrify because of their size. Traditional jet fuel, petroleum-based, has a substantial carbon footprint. However, SAF can be produced with bio feedstocks like soybean oil, fats, and other natural sources.
Particularly, for this joint effort, the companies will deliver their technologies and will enhance the process of SAF production. Firstly, Honeywell will provide its technology for processing and converting waste oils, fats and greases into SAF. Secondly, technology by Wood will be paired to produce renewable hydrogen.
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Honeywell and Wood to help Biden admin to decarbonize aviation sector
Thirdly, the renewable hydrogen will then be reinjected to Honeywell’s production process to purify the SAF and eliminate impurities. Consequently, reaching a cleaner-burning renewable fuel. Finally, Honeywell will sequester and inject underground all the CO2 from operations.
About the project, Ben Owens, vice president, and general manager of Honeywell Sustainable Technology Solutions, said to Reuters. “The government incentives here are very supportive, but the economics improve greatly as you reduce carbon intensities.” He also remarked that both companies are in talks with SAF producers to create synergies and networks for cleaner SAF.
On the other hand, such a technology advancement like the one proposed by Honeywell and Wood aligns with the Biden administrations’ target of reducing 20% emissions from the aviation sector by 2030. In fact, airlines have already committed to use SAF.
Finally, the aviation sector is responsible for about 2% of all the emissions worldwide; 12% of all the emissions in the transportation sector, compared to the 74% of road transport.
