While biofuels have already reduced emissions from cars and trucks, they’re now ready to transform aviation through Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
What Is SAF?
SAF is jet fuel derived from renewable sources that must achieve at least 50% greenhouse gas reduction compared to traditional jet fuel under the Inflation Reduction Act. This represents a major leap toward cleaner skies.
The Ethanol-to-Jet Process
Through an innovative process called ethanol-to-jet (ETJ), ethanol is dehydrated into ethylene and then converted through chemical reactions into sustainable jet fuel. This technology connects America’s ethanol industry with aviation’s need for cleaner alternatives.
Why It Matters
Farm-based feedstocks like ethanol and corn oil are the only renewable sources available in large enough volumes to meet aviation’s massive fuel demands. The U.S. ethanol industry, producing 17.4 billion gallons annually, is uniquely positioned to scale SAF production commercially.
Major airlines have already committed to SAF adoption, but growth depends on federal tax incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act. The Treasury’s choice of lifecycle analysis models will determine which biofuels qualify for these crucial incentives.
America’s ethanol industry offers a practical pathway to decarbonizing aviation—transforming farm crops into the fuel that will power cleaner skies.
