Seoul: Ethanol-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is emerging as a promising option for South Korea’s aviation sector as the country prepares to introduce mandatory SAF blending from 2030, with industry leaders highlighting alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology as a scalable solution to meet future demand.
The growing interest was reflected at the 2026 Seoul Biofuels & Sustainable Aviation Fuel Conference, organised by the US Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) in collaboration with the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service and the Korea Biofuels Forum. The conference brought together around 270 policymakers, refiners, airlines and industry stakeholders to discuss ethanol’s role in supporting South Korea’s decarbonisation and energy security goals, S&P Global reported.
Industry participants said alcohol-to-jet technology could help overcome feedstock shortages that currently limit the expansion of sustainable aviation fuel production based on hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA), which mainly relies on waste cooking oil and animal fats.
US bioenergy company Gevo said ethanol produced from corn offers a scalable alternative by making use of existing ethanol production facilities and petrochemical infrastructure. The company said this approach could reduce initial investment costs while ensuring a more stable supply of feedstock for large-scale SAF production.
Gevo Vice President of SAF and Carbon Solutions Erin Heitkamp said countries and companies that adopt alcohol-to-jet technology early would be well positioned to capture future market opportunities.
The discussions come as South Korea prepares for the implementation of SAF blending mandates from 2030, increasing the need for production pathways capable of supplying larger fuel volumes than those currently supported by waste-based feedstocks.
Despite growing interest, cost remains a major challenge. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), sustainable aviation fuel currently costs around three times more than conventional jet fuel, with airlines facing even higher costs after accounting for supply chain expenses.
IATA Fuel Supply Chain Manager Kim Jooho said stable government policies, including production tax credits, investment incentives and revenue support mechanisms, would be essential to encourage SAF production and adoption.
Speakers at the conference also highlighted the need for reliable ethanol supply chains, pointing to opportunities for closer cooperation with the United States, the world’s largest producer and exporter of ethanol.
Emerson Wohlenberg, Global Energy Consulting Director at S&P Global Energy CERA, said potential areas of cooperation include supply chain development, investment in SAF projects, alcohol-to-jet technology transfer and the establishment of low-carbon certification systems.
Quaim Choudhury, Chief Engineer at the American Bureau of Shipping, said ethanol has one of the world’s largest biofuel production bases and a well-established supply chain, making it suitable not only for aviation but also for reducing emissions in the maritime sector.
Byoung-In Sang, Director of the Clean Energy Research Institute and Professor of Chemical Engineering at Hanyang University, said South Korea should adopt a comprehensive biofuel strategy covering road, air and sea transport rather than focusing on a single fuel policy.
The conference highlighted South Korea’s increasing focus on biofuels as it works to strengthen energy security and reduce transport emissions ahead of the country’s 2030 sustainable aviation fuel blending mandate.
