KazMunaiGas (KMG) plans to start producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Kazakhstan, reported Azernews.
“On June 20, Askhat Khasenov, Chairman of the Board of KazMunayGas, discussed the potential establishment of SAF production in Kazakhstan with executives from LanzaJet, an American technology company, and Mitsui, a Japanese investment firm. Following the meeting, both foreign companies expressed interest in jointly implementing the project with KMG,” the report states.
The preliminary feasibility study for constructing the SAF production complex in Kazakhstan was conducted through collaboration between KMG, Air Astana Aviation Company, and with financial support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The next phase involves developing a detailed feasibility study for the project.
Air Astana is currently evaluating the possibility of integrating SAF into its aircraft fleet. As part of the low-carbon development strategy of Samruk-Kazyna JSC, the airline aims to gradually increase SAF usage, targeting 5% by 2040, 15% by 2050, and 25% by 2060.
Additionally, three major refineries operated by KMG are prepared to produce Jet A-1 jet fuel, facilitating future blending with SAF.
SAF is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional Jet A-1 fuel, capable of reducing carbon emissions by 80% in its pure form. It can be seamlessly blended with conventional jet fuel in airport storage tanks. The U.S. aims to achieve 50% SAF usage by 2050, while the European Union plans to begin at 2% in 2025, rising to 5% by 2030 and reaching 63% by 2050.
Recently, LanzaJet inaugurated the LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels plant in the United States, the world’s first SAF production facility, with ambitions to produce 1 billion gallons of SAF by 2030.
