EcoCeres, aviation partners launch SAF pilot program in China

EcoCeres Inc. announced March 23 that it has launched a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) pilot program in China, codenamed “Project Spark,” together with the Second Research Institute of Civil Aviation Administration of China (CASRI), China National Aviation Fuel Group, China Southern Airlines, Air China Cargo, Sichuan Airlines and Huarong Chemical, completing a closed loop SAF green value chain.

According to EcoCeres, the milestone marks a major breakthrough in the decarbonization of China’s aviation sector and represents a significant step forward in the country’s independent sustainability certification and environmental-credit framework for SAF.

SAF produced at EcoCeres’ Zhangjiagang facility and blended by CNAF was used March 16 to refuel multiple commercial flights at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.

The initiative also enabled the compliant transfer of environmental credits via Anchor Trace, a scope 3 SAF environmental-credit registration and retirement platform EcoCeres said was jointly developed by CNAF and CASRI.

“Launching this SAF pilot program in China together with such influential partners is a proud moment for EcoCeres and a powerful signal for the future of sustainable aviation,” said CEO Matti Lievonen. “By combining our waste-to-fuel technology with the scale and expertise of leading aviation fuel and airline ecosystems, we are turning climate ambition into practical action.”

This collaboration sets an important benchmark for China’s emerging SAF market and establishes a practical model for wider deployment across the country’s aviation system.

Key milestones include:

• Pilot implementation of China’s independent SAF sustainability-certification system.

• Pilot application of Anchor Trace to transfer scope 1 emissions to airlines and scope 3 emissions to corporate customers.

• Pilot conversion of SAF-related green premiums into low-carbon investments jointly borne by multiple stakeholders, helping to overcome bottlenecks to the large-scale deployment of green aviation fuel.

EcoCeres said its SAF is produced from waste and residue feedstocks via its proprietary process, delivering up to 90 percent lifecycle greenhouse-gas emission reductions compared to conventional jet fuel.

By integrating SAF into existing fuel-supply infrastructure, the partners demonstrate how low-carbon fuels can be adopted without compromising safety, reliability or operational efficiency.

“As one of the key initiators of the Spark Program, EcoCeres further strengthens its role as a regional renewable fuels platform, connecting its production capabilities with leading aviation partners in China,” EcoCeres stated.

The company said it plans to continue working closely with airlines, fuel suppliers, regulators and research institutions to support the long-term net-zero ambitions of China and the wider region.

In addition to this new cooperation in China, EcoCeres said its SAF is already being supplied to leading international carriers including Air New Zealand, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas.