GS Caltex exports commercial-scale biojet fuel to Japan

South Korean oil company GS Caltex said in September that it has exported sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Japan. The company supplied about 5,000 kiloliters of CORSIA SAF blended with conventional jet fuel to Japan's Narita Airport through Itochu Corporation.

This is the first time that a South Korean refiner has sold CORSIA SAF on a commercial scale and has obtained certification from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The fuel will be sold to Japanese airlines such as All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines.

SAF is produced from agricultural and waste feedstocks. As global carbon emission regulations and greenhouse gas reduction efforts continue to advance, the use of SAF is becoming more and more mandatory. GS Caltex said SAF can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel.

The South Korean government recently announced plans to make it mandatory for all international flights departing from South Korea to use a 1% SAF blend from 2027.

“We have established a new value chain by understanding the decarbonization trends and customer needs in the global aviation industry and leveraging the support of the Korean and Japanese governments and the expertise of our partners,” said Lee Seung-hoon, head of the supply and trading division at GS Caltex. “We plan to expand our collaboration with various partners in the future.”