Pakistan can benefit from turning crop waste into Sustainable Aviation
Fuel (SAF)
Promoting
sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can help Pakistan enhance energy security,
economic growth, and foreign direct investment (FDI) while addressing air
pollution and crop waste, experts say.
A
piece published
in Express Tribune argues that Pakistan, with its abundant agricultural
resources, has the potential to become a key player in SAF production. By
repurposing crop residues—which are often burned, contributing to severe air
pollution—the country can tap into the global SAF market while tackling four
major challenges:
- Enhancing energy security
- Driving economic activity
- Attracting foreign investment
- Reducing pollution from crop burning
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A Global Shift Toward SAF
Speaking
with The Express Tribune, energy and environmental experts highlighted
that nations worldwide are working to cut emissions, and the aviation
sector is no exception. SAF is emerging as a crucial solution, particularly
with mandates in the European Union, United Kingdom, and United States
promoting its adoption. Given the aviation industry’s annual fuel demand of over
250 million metric tonnes, the shift to SAF presents both a challenge and a
significant economic opportunity.
SAF
is a low-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel, derived from sustainable
feedstocks such as waste oils, agricultural residues, and non-food biomass.
Key SAF Production
Technologies
Two
dominant commercial technologies for SAF production are:
- Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA):
Uses used cooking oil, animal fats, and non-edible vegetable oils.
- Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ): Converts sugar-based
feedstocks like wheat straw, rice husks, and bagasse waste into fuel.
A
third emerging technology utilizes carbon dioxide as a feedstock, though it is
not yet commercially viable.
SAF
fuels produced through these methods are fully compatible with existing jet
engines and infrastructure, making them a viable alternative to conventional aviation
fuel.
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Economic and Environmental
Potential
Dr.
Adeel Ghayur, an eminent energy scientist and circular economy expert, noted
that commercial SAF refineries can produce between 100,000 to one million
tonnes of fuel annually. High-capacity refineries require multibillion-dollar
investments but can create thousands of jobs and stimulate local economies.
Currently,
SAF is priced at around $2,500 per metric tonne, compared to $700 per metric
tonne for conventional jet fuel. However, as international regulations tighten
around sustainable aviation, Pakistan has a unique opportunity to capitalize on
SAF production.
In
Punjab alone, millions of tonnes of rice residue are burned each winter to
clear fields for the next planting season, releasing harmful emissions.
Additional crop residues from wheat harvesting further add to pollution. These
biomass resources could support the establishment of multiple SAF refineries,
turning an environmental crisis into a lucrative economic sector.
A Roadmap for Pakistan’s SAF
Revolution
Dr. Ghayur emphasized that Pakistan’s SAF strategy should focus
on:
- Attracting foreign investment
- Developing local industrial capacity
- Strengthening infrastructure and skills
- Boosting research and development (R&D)
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Building a strong R&D ecosystem will be crucial for Pakistan
to remain competitive in the global SAF market. A well-designed policy
framework can position the country as an innovation hub and a leader in SAF
adoption across Asia.
By implementing a strategic roadmap, Pakistan can transition from
wasteful crop burning to becoming a regional powerhouse in SAF production,
contributing to both economic growth and climate sustainability.
Source: Express Tribune