Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) has announced the expansion of its portfolio with a groundbreaking hydrocracking technology that transforms biomass into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This innovation significantly reduces carbon emissions by 90% compared to traditional jet fuels, meeting the stringent standards of the aviation industry.
The hydrocracking process leverages liquids and waxes derived from biomass sources, such as crop leftovers, wood waste, and food scraps. By combining this technology with Honeywell’s existing Fischer-Tropsch (FT) Unicracking™ process, the feedstock options for SAF production are expanded, enabling cost reductions of up to 20%. Additionally, the process reduces by-product waste streams compared to other hydroprocessing technologies.
This advancement aligns with Honeywell’s commitment to three key megatrends, including the energy transition. The increasing demand for SAF has prompted the aviation industry to seek alternative feedstocks beyond traditional vegetable oils and animal fats. Honeywell’s new technology provides a solution by utilizing more abundant biomass sources, enhancing the industry’s capacity for SAF production.
DG Fuels, a leading provider of biofuels, has selected Honeywell’s FT Unicracking technology for its Louisiana manufacturing facility, the world’s largest for SAF production using the FT process. This facility is projected to produce a substantial 13,000 barrels of SAF daily upon its operation in 2028. According to DG Fuels CEO, Michael Darcy, this advanced technology will contribute to reducing carbon emissions from global air travel and support the industry’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Honeywell’s portfolio of renewable fuels includes the Ecofining™ process, Ethanol to Jet technology, and eFining™, which converts green hydrogen and carbon dioxide into e-fuels. Over 50 sites worldwide have licensed Honeywell’s SAF technologies, with refineries expected to surpass a combined capacity of 500,000 barrels of SAF per day upon full operation.
Honeywell’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in the aviation sector is evident in its range of solutions for SAF production. The company’s focus on expanding feedstock options, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impact positions it as a key player in the transition to clean and sustainable aviation fuels.
