Cemvita achieves breakthrough in SAF feedstock production

This landmark achievement marks a pivotal step forward in the production of low-carbon intensity feedstocks for HEFA sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), representing a significant opportunity to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.

“We simply do not have enough low-carbon intensity feedstock locally in the US. We import about five billion pounds a year from places as far away as Australia and China to meet demand,” said Moji Karimi, CEO of Cemvita. “Our biotechnology is delivering on its promise of a sustainable future. The benefits and applications are limitless, from avoiding the environmental impact of deforestation and providing sustainable fuels to food and cosmetic applications. We’ve turned waste into a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels.”

Cemvita's optimised microorganisms are rich in oil and undergo a series of processing steps to extract it. Through applied research and innovation in bioprocess technology, this developed process has produced high-yield extraction of the oil from the 4000 litre bioreactor the company operates in Houston, US. Early tests confirm that Cemvita’s sustainable oil is a drop-in replacement for palm oil in all its use cases.

The next step for sustainable oil will be the conversion into sSAF by partners in refining. The use of sustainable oil in SAF production targets a reduction of emissions of up to 80% over common jet fuel, with further applications in food, cosmetics, and specialty chemicals. Such an achievement opens up new avenues for sustainable fuel feedstock production. To ensure reliability, Cemvita will continue the process with the produced sustainable oil undergoing extensive characterisation and product testing to ensure its performance and compatibility with existing aviation infrastructure.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/clean-fuels/09052024/cemvita-achieves-breakthrough-in-saf-feedstock-production/