MOL Group, a Hungary-based oil and gas company, has successfully produced biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava. This achievement is part of the company’s broader efforts to develop cleaner fuels and reduce emissions, reports Gasworld.
The biodiesel was made using oil extracted from cashew nut shells, which was processed along with crude oil. A similar method is already being used at MOL Group’s Danube Refinery, where bio-based residues are blended into fuel production to lower emissions. Tests conducted by Isotoptech Zrt confirmed that the biodiesel met the necessary quality standards.
Slovnaft also experimented with producing SAF by refining partially treated cooking oil along with conventional raw materials. The results showed that the same unit used to produce regular jet fuel could be adapted to make SAF. This places Slovnaft among the early producers of SAF in Europe, a market expected to grow rapidly in the coming years.
Csaba Zsótér, Senior Vice President of Fuels at MOL Group, stated that the company now has the technology needed to produce both biodiesel and SAF, opening new opportunities to develop lower-emission fuels.
Currently, very few refineries worldwide produce SAF. However, European Union regulations will soon require airlines to start using more sustainable fuel. From 2025, at least 2% of aviation fuel used in the EU must be SAF, increasing to 6% by 2030 and 70% by 2050.
These rules are part of the EU’s plan to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut emissions from air travel. From 2030, fuel suppliers will also need to blend synthetic fuels, and airlines flying from EU airports will have to comply. MOL Group’s progress in producing SAF and biodiesel aligns with these goals, helping to support a shift toward more sustainable energy sources.
For detailed information and further insights, please refer to BioEnergyTimes.com, which provides the latest news about the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry
