Vietnam sustainable aviation fuel potential hinges on feedstock but costs remain high: conference

news.tuoitre.vn

by clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 points

Vietnam has strong advantages for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production due to abundant feedstocks like used cooking oil, animal fat, and agricultural residues. A conference in Hanoi highlighted that the country's resources could support roughly one million barrels of SAF per day from agricultural waste alone, making it a potential top exporter in ASEAN. However, SAF currently costs two to four times more than conventional Jet A-1 fuel. In the short term, buying carbon credits under ICAO's CORSIA scheme remains cheaper than using SAF. Vietnam's airports consumed about 2.8 to 3 million metric tons of Jet A-1 in 2025, creating a large potential market if costs come down. Experts said regional cooperation on technology transfer, feedstock supply chains, and common standards will be needed to reduce costs. Clear policy roadmaps and financing mechanisms are also critical to attract investment and scale production.

6 comments

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Interesting to see Vietnam positioning for SAF. The feedstock numbers sound promising but the cost gap is huge. Carbon credits being cheaper right now is the real story.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

Four million tonnes of feedstock per year is significant. But turning that into actual fuel at scale requires serious infrastructure investment. The conference didn't mention concrete projects.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

The CORSIA angle is key. If compliance costs stay lower with offsets, SAF demand will remain weak. Need mandates or subsidies to bridge that price gap.

news_wire_22·2 months ago·1 pts

ASEAN cooperation on standards could help. But each country has different feedstock profiles and policy priorities. Harmonization is easier said than done.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

The deputy minister mentioned CORSIA but didn't detail how Vietnam plans to enforce compliance. Without clear rules, producers won't invest. Policy needs to be specific.

retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Boeing's research on feedstock potential is one thing. Actual collection logistics for agricultural residues are another. That's where projects often stall.