Bangchak inaugurates first SAF production unit in Thailand

Thai petroleum and energy conglomerate Bangchak Group announced the launch of its first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production unit at the Bangchak Phra Khanong Refinery in Bangkok.

“This is Thailand’s first fully integrated standalone Neat SAF production facility. The unit oversees the entire value chain—from feedstock procurement and processing to product distribution—under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) scheme,” said Chaiwat Kovavisarach, group chief executive officer and president of Bangchak Corporation.

The production unit, which will produce 100% neat SAF, will have an initial production capacity of 1m liters per day using the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) technology, processing fatty acids or vegetable oils, such as used cooking oil.

The company’s production process was developed in collaboration with two global technology leaders. One of these is Belgium-based Desmet which specialises in pretreatment technologies and UOP Honeywell.

The collaboration ensures quality control across all stages, including feedstock handling, hydrogenation, molecular restructuring and fractionation, resulting in SAF that meets ASTM aviation fuel standards.

The facility primarily produces Neat SAF, with byproducts such as bio-LPG and bio-naphtha, and is currently undergoing plant performance test runs.