SK Energy to launch Korea’s first sustainable aviation fuel production line

SK Energy has announced that it will begin full-scale commercial production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) next month, making it the first company in South Korea to have a dedicated SAF production line. The new co-processing production facility is designed to continuously produce SAF by integrating bio-materials such as waste cooking oil and animal fat into the existing petroleum refining process. 

This innovation positions SK Energy to become a leader in the rapidly growing SAF market, which the International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects will expand nearly 70-fold by 2030. The company has also obtained critical certifications, including ISCC CORSIA and ISCC EU, certifying compliance with global and European low-carbon fuel standards.

With the new SAF facility operational, SK Energy aims to supply Korean Air and other airlines as SAF demand increases globally. The Korean government’s SAF mandate, which will require all international flights departing from Korea to use 1% SAF blends by 2027, further enhances the importance of this milestone.