Sustainable Aviation Fuels: A Comprehensive Review of Production Pathways, Environmental Impacts, Lifecycle Assessment, and Certification Frameworks

Weronika Klimczyk, Remigiusz Jasiński (), Jakub Niklas, Maciej Siedlecki and Andrzej Ziółkowski
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Weronika Klimczyk: Institute of Powertrains and Aviation, Faculty of Civil and Transport Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
Remigiusz Jasiński: Institute of Powertrains and Aviation, Faculty of Civil and Transport Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
Jakub Niklas: Institute of Powertrains and Aviation, Faculty of Civil and Transport Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
Maciej Siedlecki: Institute of Powertrains and Aviation, Faculty of Civil and Transport Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
Andrzej Ziółkowski: Institute of Powertrains and Aviation, Faculty of Civil and Transport Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-35

Abstract: Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) are currently considered a key element in the decarbonization of the aviation sector, offering a feasible solution to reduce life cycle greenhouse gas emissions without requiring fundamental changes in aircraft or infrastructure. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of SAFs, including their classification, production technologies, economic aspects, and environmental performance. The analysis covers both currently certified SAF pathways, such as HEFA and FT-SPK, and emerging technologies like alcohol-to-jet and power-to-liquid, assessing their technological maturity, feedstock availability, and scalability. Economic challenges related to high production costs, investment risks, and policy dependencies are discussed, alongside potential mechanisms to support market deployment. Furthermore, the article reviews SAFs’ emission performance, including CO 2 and non-CO 2 effects, based on existing life cycle assessment (LCA) studies, with an emphasis on variability caused by feedstock type and production method. The findings highlight that, while SAFs can significantly reduce aviation-related emissions compared to fossil jet fuels, the magnitude of benefits depends strongly on supply chain design and sustainability criteria. There are various certified pathways for SAF production, as well as new technologies that can further contribute to the development of the industry. Properly selected biomass sources and production technologies can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% compared to conventional fuels. The implementation of SAFs faces obstacles related to cost, infrastructure, and regulations, which hinder its widespread adoption. The study concludes that although SAFs represent a promising pathway for aviation climate mitigation, substantial scaling efforts, regulatory support, and continued technological innovation are essential to achieve their full potential.

Keywords: sustainable aviation fuel (SAF); fuel production technologies; life cycle assessment (LCA); aviation emissions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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