Boeing's Big Bet: Southeast Asia's Potential in Green Aviation Fuel

Green Skies Ahead

Southeast Asia could potentially supply about 12% of the global demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) needed to achieve the commercial aviation industry’s net-zero goal by 2050, as per a report created by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and backed by Boeing.

The assessment of sustainable feedstock across 11 Southeast Asian countries revealed that the region's bio-based feedstock capacity could produce around 45.7 million metric tons of SAF annually by 2050. Furthermore:

• Approximately 75% of potential SAF feedstock can be obtained from post-consumer and agricultural waste, such as cassava, sugarcane, and municipal solid waste.
• Rice husks and straws are the most significant SAF feedstocks in the region compared to other agricultural residues.
• Due to their total feedstock availability, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines account for approximately 90% of the region's SAF supply capacity.

"This research confirms that Southeast Asia has diverse sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feedstock availability and immense potential to help meet the global demand for SAF," said Sharmine Tan, Boeing's regional sustainability lead for Southeast Asia. "By collaborating on sustainability policies and investing in infrastructure, regional governments and industry can scale local production and build a regional SAF capability, presenting Southeast Asia with an exciting opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable future of flight while protecting its environment and growing its economy."

The use of unblended, or "neat" SAF, which is entirely free of fossil fuels, has the most significant potential to reduce carbon emissions from aviation over the next 30 years. It can reduce emissions throughout the fuel's lifecycle by up to 84%. 2023 SAF accounted for only 0.2% of global commercial fuel use.

"Our research considers not only the potential volumes of feedstock available in Southeast Asia but also their environmental and social sustainability in terms of impacts on deforestation, water, and food security," said Arianna Baldo, RSB’s Programme Director. "These results can help to guide future SAF feedstock supply, including the exploration of other agricultural and industrial waste materials."

Boeing is working with local partners and governments to expand Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) use worldwide. Their efforts cover over a dozen countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. This contributes to the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Assistance, Capacity-building, and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) Program.