Sanix Resource Development Group has started demonstration experiments to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using waste liquids from restaurants [1, 2, 3].
The project seeks to address raw material shortages and reduce carbon emissions from aircraft. By utilizing waste oils and food scraps, the facility aims to support the Japanese government's target to replace 10% of domestic aviation fuel with SAF by 2030 [3].
The experiments are taking place at the Sanix Resource Development Group Hibiki Plant in Kitakyushu [1, 2]. This initiative targets the inefficiency of current waste management, as approximately 30% of used cooking oil collected in Japan is currently exported [3].
SAF offers a significant environmental advantage over traditional petroleum-based fuels. According to reports, SAF can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% compared to fossil fuels [3]. This reduction is critical for the aviation industry, which faces pressure to decarbonize while maintaining global connectivity.
Major carriers are already integrating these fuels into their operations. Shinnosuke Fukuda of Japan Airlines' Sustainability Promotion Department said the company achieved a goal in fiscal year 2025 to replace 1% of its total fuel load, approximately 40,000 kiloliters, with SAF [3].
The Hibiki Plant project represents a shift toward a circular economy by transforming urban waste into high-value energy. By processing restaurant waste locally, the group hopes to stabilize the supply chain for green fuels and reduce the reliance on imported raw materials [1, 2, 3].
“SAF can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% compared to fossil fuels.”
The shift toward waste-derived SAF highlights the aviation industry's struggle to find scalable, sustainable feedstock. By pivoting from imported oils to domestic restaurant waste, Japan is attempting to secure a localized supply chain to meet aggressive 2030 climate targets without relying on volatile international markets.
