{"id":54337,"date":"2026-09-28T09:01:55","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T02:01:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vinatoken-renewenergy.com.vn\/?p=54337"},"modified":"2026-09-28T11:26:47","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T04:26:47","slug":"how-can-used-cooking-oil-become-sustainable-aviation-fuel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vinatoken-renewenergy.com.vn\/en\/how-can-used-cooking-oil-become-sustainable-aviation-fuel\/","title":{"rendered":"HOW CAN USED COOKING OIL BE TURNED INTO AIRCRAFT FUEL?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t
\n\t\t\n

Used Cooking Oil (UCO) is more than just waste that needs to be disposed of. With the right technology, UCO can be converted into a feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), helping reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

The journey from waste cooking oil to aviation fuel can be summarized as follows: <\/span>UCO \u2192 Pretreatment \u2192 HEFA \u2192 SAF<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

So, how does this process work?<\/span><\/p>\n

1. What Is UCO?<\/b><\/h2>\n

UCO (Used Cooking Oil) is cooking oil that has already been used, typically generated by restaurants, hotels, industrial kitchens, food processing facilities and other cooking operations.<\/span><\/p>\n

After use, the oil may contain water, food residues, impurities, oxidation products and free fatty acids (FFAs). As a result, UCO cannot be used directly as aviation fuel.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, when properly collected, quality-controlled and pretreated, UCO can become a valuable renewable feedstock for the biofuel industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

UCO is currently one of the feedstocks used to produce SAF via the HEFA pathway. Both ICAO and IATA recognize used cooking oil as an important feedstock for SAF production.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. From Used Cooking Oil to SAF<\/b><\/h2>\n

Step 1: UCO Collection<\/b><\/p>\n

The process begins with collecting used cooking oil from various sources.<\/span><\/p>\n

An effective collection system needs to ensure:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Clear and verifiable feedstock origins;<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Consistent and reliable supply;<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Minimal contamination;<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Proper storage and transportation;<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Full traceability.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    In the renewable fuels market, traceability is becoming increasingly important, as the value of a feedstock depends not only on its volume but also on the ability to verify its origin and sustainability.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Step 2: Pretreatment<\/b><\/p>\n

    Once collected, UCO undergoes inspection and pretreatment to remove or reduce unwanted components, including:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Water;<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Solid residues;<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Impurities;<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Certain compounds that may interfere with catalysts and the production process.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      The objective is to bring UCO into a condition suitable for subsequent conversion processes.<\/span><\/p>\n

      The more consistent the quality of the incoming UCO, the easier it is to control the production process.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Step 3: HEFA \u2013 Converting Oils into Hydrocarbons<\/b><\/p>\n

      HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) is one of the key technologies used to produce SAF from vegetable oils, used cooking oil and animal fats.<\/span><\/p>\n

      In the HEFA process, feedstocks are treated with hydrogen in the presence of catalysts to remove oxygen and convert the oil and fat components into hydrocarbons.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Subsequent processes, such as hydroisomerization and hydrocracking, modify the molecular structure and size to produce hydrocarbons suitable for aviation fuel.<\/span><\/p>\n

      ICAO identifies HEFA as an established SAF production pathway, with UCO among the feedstocks that can be used.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Step 4: HEFA-SPK and SAF<\/b><\/p>\n

      The suitable hydrocarbon product obtained through the HEFA process is known as HEFA-SPK (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene).<\/span><\/p>\n

      HEFA-SPK can be used as a blending component in sustainable aviation fuel, provided it meets the applicable technical specifications and certification requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n

      According to ICAO, HEFA is one of the recognized SAF production pathways, with a maximum blending limit specified under the applicable standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

      It is therefore important to understand that: <\/span>UCO is not fed directly into aircraft. It is the feedstock; HEFA is the conversion technology; and SAF is the final fuel produced in accordance with applicable technical specifications and standards.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/h2>\n

      3. Why Is UCO Gaining Attention in SAF Production?<\/b><\/h2>\n

      The aviation industry is seeking ways to reduce carbon emissions while demand for air travel continues to grow.<\/span><\/p>\n

      SAF is considered one of the key solutions for reducing lifecycle emissions compared with conventional fossil-based aviation fuel. IATA reports that SAF can deliver significant lifecycle CO\u2082 emission reductions, depending on the feedstock, production technology and operating conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

      In this context, used cooking oil offers an important advantage: as a previously used resource, it can be recovered and reintegrated into the value chain rather than discarded as waste.<\/span><\/p>\n

      This creates a circular economy model:<\/span><\/p>\n

      Food \u2192 Cooking Oil \u2192 UCO \u2192 Collection \u2192 SAF \u2192 Aviation<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

      4. More Than Oil Collection: Building a Sustainable Feedstock Supply<\/b><\/h2>\n

      As demand for SAF grows, UCO is becoming an increasingly valuable feedstock in the renewable fuels supply chain.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Therefore, the quality of a UCO supply is measured by more than just volume.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Three factors are becoming increasingly important:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \ud83d\udd3aQuantity \u2013 Supply volume and the ability to ensure consistent availability.<\/span><\/p>\n

      \ud83d\udd3aQuality \u2013 Feedstock quality and suitability for further processing.<\/span><\/p>\n

      \ud83d\udd3aTraceability \u2013 The ability to verify feedstock origin throughout the supply chain.<\/span><\/p>\n

      This is why UCO collection and supply companies are becoming an increasingly important link in the renewable fuels ecosystem.<\/span><\/p>\n

      5. From Waste Cooking Oil to the Future of Renewable Energy<\/b><\/h2>\n

      The UCO journey can be summarized as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n

      UCO \u2193 Collection & Traceability \u2193 Quality Control \u2193 Pretreatment \u2193 HEFA \u2193 HEFA-SPK \u2193 Blending & Certification \u2193 SAF<\/span><\/p>\n

      Oil once regarded as waste can become a valuable feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel.<\/span><\/p>\n

      This is a compelling example of how the circular economy connects the food industry, waste collection and renewable energy.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\n