The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recently sponsored South Korea SAF experts to tour the U.S. alcohol-to-jet Fuel (ATJ) technology supply chain. Participants met with stakeholders ranging from low-carbon intensity (CI) corn farmers to ATJ SAF production technology companies and airlines to learn about the economics and competitiveness of corn ethanol-based SAF.
The group consisted of representatives from refineries and airlines interested in SAF production, raw material procurement officials, investors and government advisors from academia.
The development of SAF technology is a priority for the South Korean government due to the rapid introduction and influence of similar policies in the European Union, Japan, the U.S. and elsewhere. The government is seeking to mandate airline fuel be blended with one percent SAF by 2027 and shows interest in corn ethanol-based ATJ technology based on abundant raw materials.
“Currently, hydrotreated esters and fatty acids (HEFA) technology is the preferred method of SAF production, but ATJ’s wider range of raw materials like corn ethanol will make it a more appealing option as technology advances,” said Haksoo Kim, USGC director in South Korea.
Participants arrived in Chicago to meet with USGC SAF Consultant Mark Ingebretson and Dr. Steffen Mueller, associate director of bioenergy at the University of Illinois-Chicago, for an overview of U.S. and global SAF policy trends and life cycle modeling of ethanol-based transportation fuels. The team also visited LanzaJet, the first company to produce ATJ SAF, to discuss the opportunities and obstacles for ATJ SAF.
The delegation then traveled to Atlanta to meet with officials from major transportation players including Delta Air Lines, FedEx, Aerovida Bio, Argus and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to share information and exchange views on the U.S. SAF policy and industry readiness for SAF blending.
The program concluded in Sioux Falls, SD, with visits to several corn farms, ethanol plants and ATJ production technology provider Gevo to demonstrate how corn production and ethanol processing can reduce carbon. They also learned how ATJ technology, using corn-based ethanol, could surpass HEFA technology in the future.
“This program was a great success for the Korean SAF team, and we felt that the perception of ATJ among Korean oil company and airline participants changed in a very positive way.” Kim said.
“It will be important to stay consistent with informing decision-makers about ATJ’s superior viability with long-term raw materials to improve consumer demand for corn.”
Learn more about the Council’s work in South Korea here.
About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.