The Euro-APAC region is facing a critical challenge in the aviation sector: demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is rapidly outpacing supply, and this gap is only expected to grow in the coming years.
Euro-APAC is home to the world’s fastest-growing air travel market, representing over a third of global airline traffic. Airlines across the region, from full-service carriers to low-cost operators, have pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, aligning with IATA and ICAO targets. SAF, which can cut lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80%, is the most viable short- to medium-term solution for decarbonising flight.
Despite growing demand, SAF production in Euro-APAC remains minimal. While global SAF production in 2024 was under 1 million tonnes, the region’s capacity is only just beginning to scale. Even as new plants come online, such as Singapore’s Neste refinery, the largest in the world, the region is unlikely to meet even modest targets. For instance, Japan’s 10% SAF target by 2030 will require around 1.4 million tonnes per year, but expected domestic output will fall far short of that.
Government policies are beginning to shift, but still lag behind North America and Europe. Countries like Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan are introducing SAF mandates of 1–10% between 2026 and 2030. However, many larger aviation markets (e.g. China, India, Australia) are still in early planning phases. Without clear national blending mandates and incentives, the demand signal to producers remains weak, making it harder to finance new projects.
Feedstock availability is another constraint. Euro-APAC is rich in agricultural residues, oilseeds, and used cooking oil (UCO), but much of this is currently exported to Europe or underutilised. Unlocking these resources for regional SAF production will require investment in refining infrastructure and better feedstock collection systems. Without it, even abundant feedstock will not translate into fuel in tanks.
The result is a widening SAF gap. If APAC carriers aim for even a 10% SAF blend by 2030, the region will need 10–12 million tonnes per year, more than double the supply that might exist by then. Without a regional ramp-up, airlines may be forced to import SAF at higher costs, risking both commercial disadvantage and failure to meet emissions targets.
CR Fuels is addressing this gap through modular, decentralised SAF production facilities using Alcohol to Jet (AtJ) technology that can be deployed rapidly and replicated across the region. These plants are designed to be feedstock-flexible, cost-efficient, and scalable - ideal for Euro-APAC’s diverse aviation hubs and emerging SAF markets.
“The SAF gap is real, but it’s also an opportunity,” says CR Fuels Executive Director, Rudolph van Niekerk. “We’re focused on bringing clean aviation fuel closer to where it’s needed, faster and smarter.”
CR Fuels invites governments, investors, and airline partners to join in accelerating regional SAF deployment. With the right support, Euro-APAC can lead the next chapter in sustainable aviation, and close the SAF gap before it becomes a crisis.
Contact CR Fuels to explore partnerships, investments, and technology collaboration across the region.
