Japanese group begins blending, supplying domestic SAF

Japanese trading house Itochu and refiner Fuji Oil have started supplying domestically-blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), in partnership with the country's land and transport ministry (Mlit).

A flight inspection aircraft consumed around 50 kilolitres (314 bl) of the blended SAF, which included 5kl of neat SAF produced by Finnish biofuel producer Neste, during 15-31 March. The neat SAF blending ratio was 11.46pc, Mlit said. The aircraft, which is owned by Mlit and based at Japan's central Chubu International Airport, flies to ensure wireless systems for flight operations.

The neat SAF was imported by Itochu, and blended into conventional jet fuel at Fuji Oil's oil terminal in Chiba prefecture in February, following an initial agreement announced in November last year. The neat SAF supply from Neste to Itochu was a spot contract, but Itochu is considering further procurement.

Japanese airline companies All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines will also secure SAF from Itochu, for their flights departing and landing at Haneda and Narita, as well as at the Chubu International Airport.

Mlit revised Japan's SAF demand outlook late last year to 1.7mn kl in 2030, comprising 880,000kl for domestic flights and 830,000kl for international flights. Japan is targeting 10pc use of SAF by domestic airlines by 2030.

By Maiko Nakashima