HD Hyundai Oilbank to export SAF to Japan

HD Hyundai Oilbank Co., South Korea’s refiner backed by Saudi Aramco, said on Sunday that it will export sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Japan's general trading company Marubeni. 

SAF, derived from eco-friendly sources like used cooking oil and household waste, can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fossil fuels.

The SAF which will be supplied to Marubeni plans to be used by All Nippon Airways (ANA).

This is the first time a South Korean company exports SAF and a Japanese company imports SAF.

HD Hyundai Oilbank said it produced the SAF using a co-processing method, where bio-based materials are blended with traditional feedstock in existing refining facilities.

Last month, the company completed preparations for export by obtaining bio aviation fuel quality certifications from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the Korea Petroleum Quality & Distribution Authority.

Write to Hyeon-woo Oh at ohw@hankyung.com