Egypt awarded its first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production license to the Egyptian Sustainable Aviation Fuel Company (ESAF), a subsidiary of the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM). The agreement was signed between ESAF and Honeywell UOP, in the presence of Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi.

The agreement marks the launch of Egypt’s first SAF project, to be built in Alexandria. The facility will convert used cooking oil into up to 120,000 tons of jet fuel annually, cutting an estimated 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

According to a statement by the ministry, Badawi described the project as a significant milestone for Egypt’s petroleum sector and a key step in reducing aviation emissions while expanding investments in green energy.

Moreover, Khaled Hashem, President of Honeywell’s Middle East and North Africa, emphasized the company’s commitment to deploying advanced, low-carbon technologies in Egypt.

Honeywell noted that its UOP license is among the leading global technologies for producing sustainable jet fuel from used oils, including used cooking oil. The technology offers a conversion efficiency of about 80% through advanced hydrogenation processes that produce fuel that meets international aviation specifications while contributing to emissions reductions.

Honeywell UPO has been commercially operational since 2016 and is capable of converting non-edible oils, animal fats, and waste feedstocks into renewable jet fuel. This technology has powered the world’s first 100% SAF production facility and supports multiple pathways, including eFining for methanol-to-jet conversion.

SAF is a renewable fuel derived from non-petroleum sources that helps lower emissions from aviation. The fuel can be mixed with conventional jet fuel in varying proportions, typically between 10% and 50%, depending on the type of feedstock and production method. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) reports that more than 360,000 commercial flights have utilized SAF at 46 airports, primarily located in the United States and Europe.

Egypt is accelerating its shift toward low-carbon aviation fuels as part of its broader climate and energy-transition strategy. In this regard, the government established EASF in 2024 to lead the country’s transition toward cleaner aviation fuels and support national climate goals.