SK Energy marks first European export of SAF

The export aligns with the European Union’s new mandate requiring at least 2% SAF in aviation fuel.

SK Energy has successfully exported Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to Europe, becoming the first Korean refiner to achieve this milestone just four months after launching commercial SAF production.

The export aligns with the European Union’s new mandate requiring at least 2% SAF in aviation fuel, positioning SK Energy as a key player in the growing market. The SAF was produced using Co-Processing technology, refining bio-based materials such as used cooking oil and animal fats within existing petroleum production processes.

Since September 2024, SK Energy has built an annual SAF production capacity of 100,000 tons, supported by the R&D expertise of the SK Innovation Institute of Environmental Science and Technology and engineering from its Ulsan Complex. Collaboration with SK On Trading International, which invested in a waste-based raw material company, has strengthened its global value chain.

The demand for SAF has surged as the aviation industry pursues Net Zero emissions by 2050. The EU plans to increase its SAF mandate to 6% by 2030 and 70% by 2050, while the U.S. targets a full transition by mid-century.