Axens kicks off 1st worldwide full SAF unit in Asia

Photo: Axens

Axens announced Sept. 4 that it has successfully started up a 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) unit at a site in Asia.

The facility has the capacity to entirely convert 300,000 tons per year of renewable feedstock into high-value SAF.

This unit is a revamp of existing hydroprocessing assets in which a simple two-stage scheme has been implemented, according to Axens.

Combined with an innovative catalyst solution including Axens 700 series, this Vegan® unit allows full flexibility to produce either 100 percent renewable diesel or 100 percent SAF, providing the ability to meet market demand, Axens stated.

“Since its kickoff a few months ago, the unit has demonstrated to operate very stably with positive performance,” the company said.

The Vegan® process is thus able to prevent coproduction of renewable diesel if not desired and focus on maximizing SAF, according to Axens.

“But what makes this solution unique is that 100 percent SAF mode is obtained without the need of an additional hydrocracking stage,” the company stated.

“This is a major milestone for Axens Group, partners and customers, contributing to ease the energy transition through more flexible, more efficient and less capex-intensive solutions,” Axens added.