Honeywell has unveiled a new hydrocracking technology that can convert biomass into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with minimal environmental impact. This innovative technology, known as the FT Unicracking process, is capable of producing SAF that meets industry standards while significantly reducing carbon emissions compared to traditional fossil-based jet fuels.
The FT Unicracking process converts liquids and waxes from biomass leftovers, including crop residues, wood waste, and food scraps, into SAF. The resulting fuel is 90% less carbon intensive than traditional fossil fuels and offers several advantages over other hydroprocessing technologies. These include a 3-5% higher output, up to 20% cost reduction, and reduced waste streams.
With the increasing demand for SAF in the aviation industry, Honeywell’s FT Unicracking technology provides a solution to the challenges posed by limited traditional feedstock supplies like vegetable oils, animal fats, and waste oils. By expanding feedstock options to more abundant sources like wood waste and crop residues, this technology enhances the industry’s ability to produce SAF sustainably.
DG Fuels has selected Honeywell’s FT Unicracking technology for its biofuels manufacturing facility in Louisiana. The facility aims to become the world’s largest SAF producer using the FT process and supply 13,000 barrels of SAF per day starting in 2028. With this production capacity, DG Fuels will be able to support over 30,000 transatlantic flights annually and contribute significantly towards reducing global air travel emissions by aligning with the airline industry’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
