Bangchak Group Drives Low-Carbon Aviation Unveiling Thailand’s First Dedicated SAF Facility Certified to International Standards
Bangchak Group has inaugurated its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Production Unit at the Bangchak Phra Khanong Refinery, marking Thailand’s first dedicated facility for producing 100% Neat SAF. Operated by BSGF Company Limited, a Bangchak Group affiliate, the unit complies with rigorous international certification standards, reflecting the Group’s commitment to green innovation and its evolution from a renewable energy leader to a pioneer of future energy solutions.
Mr. Chaiwat Kovavisarach, Group Chief Executive Officer and President Executive Director of Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, stated that this is Thailand’s first fully integrated standalone Neat SAF production facility. The unit oversees the entire value chain from feedstock procurement and processing to product distribution under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) scheme. With an initial production capacity of 1 million liters per day, the facility employs Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) technology, processing fatty acids or vegetable oils, such as used cooking oil, into high-quality SAF. The production process was developed in collaboration with two global technology leaders: Desmet of Belgium, specializing in pretreatment technologies, and UOP Honeywell of the United States, a pioneer in hydroprocessing systems. This collaboration ensures quality control across all stages, including feedstock handling, hydrogenation, molecular restructuring, and fractionation, resulting in SAF that meets ASTM aviation fuel standards. The facility primarily produces Neat SAF, with byproducts such as Bio-LPG and Bio-Naphtha, and is currently undergoing Plant Performance Test Runs.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the aviation sector emits around 492 million tons of CO2 annually, despite accounting for only 2.9% of global energy consumption. SAF is therefore a critical driver in global decarbonization strategies, capable of reducing aviation emissions by up to 80% a more cost-effective and impactful solution compared to other available technologies. Several countries have introduced SAF blending mandates, including the EU (2% by 2025 and 6% by 2030), the UK (2% by 2025 and 10% by 2030), and Singapore (1% by 2026 and 5% by 2030). Thailand is currently considering the introduction of such a mandate.
