University of South Australia agrees SAF biofuel industry with China

In Australia, aviation experts from the University of South Australia (UniSA) will work with their Chinese counterparts over the next two years to develop a sustainable aviation biofuel industry in both countries.

The collaboration, announced by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on Saturday, comes on the back of a A$1.7 billion Federal Budget allocation to prioritize renewable fuels for the aviation industry over the next decade.

While these renewable fuels are not yet produced in Australia, Jet Zero Australia is working with US biotechnology company LanzaJet to build a new SAF facility in north Queensland, and Wagner Sustainable Fuels and Boeing Australia are also collaborating on a site in Toowoomba. The NSW Government has pledged up to A$100 million to start local production.

Aside from the A$1.7 billion, the Albanese Government has also allocated A$18.5 million over four years to develop a certification scheme for sustainable aviation fuels and renewable diesel. A further A$1.5 million will go towards a two-year analysis of the costs and benefits of introducing mandates.