Bangchak invests in sustainable aviation fuel and clean molecules

This initiative aligns with the global trend of reducing carbon emissions from aviation and anticipates the growing importance of biojet fuels.

To highlight and discuss these sustainable efforts, Bangchak Group recently organised the 13th Greenovative Forum titled "Regenerative Fuels: Sustainable Mobility" on November 23, at M Tower, their headquarters. The forum aimed to present strategies for carbon reduction, particularly in the aviation industry, which is experiencing an increasing demand for biojet fuels.

Chaiwat Kovavisarach, Group Chief Executive Officer and President of Bangchak Corporation, emphasised the significance of the event in guiding the world towards greener practices through the adoption of various clean energy fuel forms.

In an interview with The Nation, Chaiwat expressed the pressing need for a diversified approach to address the substantial global energy consumption, which currently stands at 1.7 trillion joules per day. He highlighted that 80% of this energy comes from fossil fuels, equivalent to 220 billion barrels per day or 35 billion litres daily for a global population of 8 billion. Such consumption surpasses by two times the rate of drinking water.

Chaiwat stressed the importance of transporting energy efficiently, acknowledging that liquid forms provide high energy density and convenience for transport. Introducing the concept of "Clean Molecules" alongside green electrons, he underscored the need for multiple solutions to expedite the energy transition process.

In line with these efforts, Bangchak aims to introduce "Clean Molecules" as an environmentally friendly alternative, focusing on biofuels derived from plants. 

The company is actively involved in the production and distribution of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) made from used cooking oil. Additionally, Bangchak is exploring innovative methods such as utilising wood waste for biofuel fermentation, producing oil from algae, and developing e-Fuels, a synthetic fuel derived from captured carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

Chaiwat further highlighted the achievability of liquid fuels, proposing a combined approach of "Clean Molecules" with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology to effectively address global challenges.

The SAF production facility in Phra Khanong involves an initial investment of 10 billion baht. With operations expected to commence by the end of 2023 and full-scale production in early 2024, this initiative aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry, contributing to an annual decrease of 80,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Bangchak Group is poised to scale up production capacity to meet the rising global demand for SAF, aligning with the European Union's regulations mandating the blending of SAF in aviation fuel at European airports.

The EU has set ambitious targets to increase SAF blending to 2% by 2025 and to 6%, 37%, and 85% by 2030, 2040, and 2050, respectively, as per a resolution passed in July 2026.