Thailand govt, private sector team up for SAF

In an effort to fast-track the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the country, Thailand’s Ministry of Industry and six local companies have teamed up to develop used cooking oil based feedstock supply chain.

The country’s Department of Industry Promotion signed an agreement with the firms earlier this week.

The private sector firms include Central Group, Thai Beverage, Charoen Pokphand Foods, Thai President Foods, the Thai Food Processors Association and Bangchak Corporation. Majority of these firms are already in the business of used cooking oil production or collection through their day-to-day operations.

The industries minister Akanat Promphan said that progress has already been made with Bangchak Corporation to use collected waste cooking oil to produce SAF while promoting the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model.

However, Bangchak CEO highlighted the dearth of used cooking oil collection. Bangchak CEO Chaiwat Kovavisarach made multiple recommendations to the government highlighting the need for raising public awareness and participation through campaigns, education and network-building, steering the economy toward a low-carbon, sustainable future.

He also stressed the need for expanding the variety of SAF feedstocks and establishing clear regulations on SAF blending mandates along with investment incentives.

Bangchak Corporation announced that it has signed a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply agreement with Singapore-based Shell International Eastern Trading Company.

Under the agreement, the company will supply ISCC EU/CORSIA certified SAF to Shell produced at the company’s refinery.