DG Fuels, a producer of renewable hydrogen and low-emissions aviation fuel, has selected Honeywell’s new hydrocracking technology – known as the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) Unicracking technology - to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its biofuel manufacturing facility in Louisiana.
“Using Honeywell’s technology, DG Fuels will supply enough fuel for more than 30,000 transatlantic flights every year, contributing significantly to reducing the carbon emissions of global air travel,” said Michael Darcy, CEO of DG Fuels. “This is a big leap forward in supporting the airline industry’s goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions from international aviation by 2050.”
Honeywell’s FT Unicracking technology takes liquids and waxes from processed biomass - including crop leftovers, wood waste, and food scraps - to produce SAF that Honeywell states is 90% less carbon intensive than traditional fossil-based jet fuels.
When compared to other commonly used hydroprocessing technologies, the new hydrocracking technology can produce 3-5% more SAF, reduce costs by up to 20%, and reduce by-product waste streams.
“As demand for SAF continues to grow, the aviation industry is challenged by limited supplies of traditional SAF feedstocks, such as vegetable oils, animal fats, and waste oils,” said Ken West, President and CEO of Honeywell Energy and Sustainability Solutions.
“When combined with the existing Fischer-Tropsch process, our new technology will expand the feedstock options available in the industry to sources that are more plentiful, ultimately helping improve our customers’ ability to produce SAF,” added West.
The FT Unicracking technology is projected to begin operations in 2028 and will produce nearly 13,000 barrels of SAF each day.
