The British Ministry of Defense has approved the concentration of the JET fuel permissible in the CO processed yeast raw sticks from 5% to 30%, and the standard is now approved worldwide for the production of Jet A-1. CO processing is a method in which vegetable oils, waste oils and fats or similar sustainable output materials are processed together with conventional raw material oil in existing oil refineries. This offers quick and low investments for SAF production because it can be integrated in the infrastructure without extensive changes. It enables fuel manufacturers to quickly launch SAF at a competitive price without waiting for the large investments and long schedules that are required for new, specially built biora -refineries. A SAF mix that was manufactured and certified under the British Mod-Mod Def Stan 91-091, and the specifications for ASTM D1655 for aviation cerosine have almost identical requirements for Jet A-1.
The approval of the defense standard was achieved by working with industry takers such as OEMS, IATA, fuel producers and airlines. They said that the processing of refinery was a “crucial step” to reduce emissions of the aviation industry.
“The approval of the defense standard for the CO processing of SAF is an important milestone for the industry, and I would like to thank our partners for their support and input when achieving this partner,” commented Federica Berra, Senior Vice President at Air BP, which was headed by the taskforce of the industry at DEF Stan Renewable Fuel-Update.
“CO processing creates a high-quality fuel that corresponds to strict aviation standards and at the same time contributes to increasing the SAF volume that is available to the customer.”
The result, according to the oil major, was the result of a three-year work program in the Bochum Technology Center of BP, which used pilot container and analysis tests. The project included the synthesis of data and cooperation with the stakeholders.
“This is a long-awaited and welcome development and will achieve immediate results,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, SVP sustainability and Chief Economist at IATA. “Cooperation is possible with only limited additional capital investments and should be maximized. The example of BP and the British Ministry of Defense is one that will follow many countries and SAF producers.”
Source: Green Air News, May 13, 2025, https://www.greenairnews.com/?p=7289