Green jet fuel from deep-frying oil: Russia has found the answer that Europe is looking for

Russia has produced the first batch of jet fuel with low carbon emissions. The fuel is prepared on the basis of used deep-frying oil and it allows to reduce emissions by up to 80%. Russian companies are not lagging behind European companies in the development of environmentally friendly fuels.

Gazprom Neft has released the first batch of Russian aviation fuel with a low carbon footprint — SAF fuel. The new product is designed to reduce the impact of air transport on the atmosphere. Specialists of the Gazprom Neft Technological Center for Industrial Innovations in St. Petersburg were engaged in the development of domestic SAF fuel,"Gazprom Neft reports.

The company explained that in the course of research and laboratory tests, they created an effective formulation based on jet fuel with the addition of a biocomponent.

"The composition of the new product complies with medium-term environmental standards for international air transportation. Gazprom Neft's own technology is based on the synthesis of esters from renewable organic raw materials under the influence of hydrogen. As a result, the company's specialists obtain biocomponents from used deep—frying oil and animal fats that are comparable in performance properties to traditional jet fuel and have enhanced environmental characteristics," the Russian company said.

"The professional competencies of our scientists, engineers and laboratory assistants, their many years of experience and commitment to the study of innovations have allowed us to create industry-unique solutions for the production of first environmentally friendly marine fuel, and now biofuel for aircraft. The next step in the introduction of Russian SAF fuel will be laboratory and bench tests at the country's leading aviation institutes," said Levan Kadagidze, head of Gazprom Neft's Commercial department.

The use of more environmentally friendly jet fuel is especially relevant for the EU, where it is required to account for 2% of all aviation fuel used in 2025, and 6% in 2030. The problem is that SAF fuel costs three to five times more expensive than traditional aviation fuel, and accounts for only 0.3% of global aviation fuel supplies, Reuters wrote.