How Is SAF Reshaping the Low-Carbon Transportation?
- End-to-end processing from waste lipids to SAF or RD
- High feedstock flexibility
- Regional plant scale (30-60-90-120 kt/y of product)
- Modular and scalable design
- No solid waste from pre-treatment
- Pool of experts with decades of experience across various sectors
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Renewable Diesel (RD, also known as HVO) are no longer emerging alternatives, they’re actionable solutions for low-carbon transport. Backed by regulation and growing demand, these drop-in fuels reduce emissions without major infrastructure changes.
The Main Challenges
Producing SAF and RD from waste- and residue-based lipids involves real-world challenges: feedstock variability, impurities, and solid waste especially in small or decentralized plants.
Nextchem’s Sustainable Fuels Product Suite addresses these barriers with a modular, scalable approach. The HEFA process converts fats, oils, and greases into biofuels. NX SAF™ BIO maximizes SAF output with high efficiency, while NX PTU ensures feedstock readiness through advanced pretreatment.
Combined, these technologies enable regional-scale SAF production, short supply chains, and resilient deployment.
Biofuels Products Applications
- SAF for aviation (ASTM D7566)
- RD (HVO) for land and maritime mobility
- Renewable Naphtha for bioplastics production
Nextchem Technologies for Sustainable Fuels
Nextchem delivers a gate-to-gate solution, from pretreatment and hydrogen supply to final fuel, with a single point of accountability.
The fully integrated package which includes Pretreatment Unit (NX PTU), Hydrogen Production Unit and HEFA process (NX SAF™ BIO) for a complete and smooth project deployment.
Our HEFA solution for sustainable aviation fuels. This technology is offered in 4 sizes at relatively small scale: 30, 60, 90 and 120 kt/y. This solution represents the best available technology for small production of SAF, unlocking the opportunity of a sustainable aviation industry.
An advanced hydrolysis-based pre-treatment unit designed to efficiently process free fatty acids, remove metals, contaminants, and other impurities from challenging lipidic feedstocks, without producing solid waste.
Nextchem provides:
- Technology licensing
- Process design packages (PDP)
- Proprietary equipment
- Digital solutions
- Post-PDP services
FAQ
Why is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) important?
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a low-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aviation. Unlike fossil jet fuel, SAF is produced from renewable or waste-based feedstocks and can be used in existing aircraft and airport infrastructure without major changes. It is currently the only available solution for decarbonizing the aviation sector.
What feedstocks can be used to produce SAF and renewable diesel?
SAF can be produced from a range of lipid-based feedstocks, commonly classified as first- and second-generation materials.
- First-generation feedstocks include vegetable oils that are also used in the food and animal feed supply chain.
- Second-generation feedstocks are derived from waste and residue streams, improving sustainability. Common examples include:
- Used Cooking Oil (UCO)
- Animal fats (tallow)
- Palm oil residues and by-products (such as POME and PFAD)
- Distillers’ Corn Oil (DCO)
What technologies does Nextchem offer in SAF and renewable diesel production?
We offer two advanced technologies to support your SAF production processes:
NX PTU: A dedicated pretreatment technology designed to handle highly contaminated and variable feedstocks. Our technology:
1- Removes impurities while minimizing oil losses and operating costs,
2- Avoids the use of bleaching earth (unlike conventional solutions),
3- Reduces solid waste and improves sustainability,
4- Ensures reliability and cost-effectiveness of SAF projects, particularly at the regional or decentralized scale.
NX SAF™ BIO: A modular and standardized HEFA-based SAF solution, offered in relatively small production sizes (30, 60, 90, and 120 kt/y). This allows investors and developers to:
1- Start SAF production with lower capital risk
2- Deploy projects closer to feedstock sources
3- Reduce supply-chain complexity
4- Accelerate time to market
How long does it typically take to bring a SAF and renewable diesel project online?
Thanks to Nextchem's modular design and a high level of standardization, SAF and RD projects using this approach can be delivered faster than traditional large-scale refinery projects, shortening engineering, construction, and commissioning timelines.
Can I produce SAF and renewable diesel in the same plant?
Yes. The NX SAF™ BIO technology is flexible and can produce both Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Renewable Diesel (RD/HVO). This flexibility allows producers to optimize product output based on market demand, pricing, and regulatory incentives, improving project resilience and profitability.
How much can SAF reduce CO₂ emissions compared to conventional jet fuel?
Depending on feedstock selection and process configuration, SAF produced with NX SAF™ BIO can achieve up to 95% greenhouse gas emission reduction compared to fossil jet fuel. The use of by-products and efficient integration further reduces the fuel's overall carbon intensity.
Does Nextchem offer solutions for companies new to SAF and RD production?
Yes. Our technology is well-suited for companies entering the SAF and renewable diesel market for the first time, as it reduces complexity and allows gradual scaling. It provides a controlled way to gain operational experience without committing to very large, capital-intensive facilities. Besides, Nextchem delivers a gate-to-gate SAF solution, covering pretreatment, hydrogen production, and the HEFA process, with a single point of accountability. This allows for more integrated production processes.
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