The reserves of raw biological materials such as rice husks and rice straw in 11 Southeast Asian countries are enough to produce 45.7 million tons of SAF (sustainable air fuel) each year from now to 2050, according to a report from RSB (The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) with support from Boeing. 

Raw material reserves in Southeast Asia could provide 12 percent of SAF demand globally to help reach the net-zero goal by 2050. In addition, potential raw material reserves found in consumer waste and agricultural waste can account for about 75 percent of fuel for SAF production, including cassava (tapioca), sugarcane, and domestic solid waste.

Rice husks and rice straw are the two major raw materials used to make SAF in the region. The total raw material volume in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines could make up 90 percent of the total raw material volume needed to produce SAF to satisfy regional demand.

Sharmine Tan from Boeing Southeast Asia said the research showed the great potential of the ASEAN region for satisfying SAF demand.

Unblended SAF fuel, or clean SAF, is made entirely without fossil fuels which could bring the greatest potential to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry in the next 30 years, with carbon emission reduction of up to 84 percent during the entire fuel  lifecycle.

However, as of 2023, SAF accounted for only 0.2 percent of total air fuel used for global trade activities because of limited supply and high production costs. In general, SAF prices are 2-4 times higher than air petrol prices.

In Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines on May 27 was the first air carrier to use SAF for a flight from Singapore to Hanoi.

Boeing is working with localities to expand SAF production scale worldwide, with specific roadmaps for each country and region. It has also been closely cooperating with local partners and governments to research raw material sources.

In Vietnam, nearly 10 million tons of rice straw and rice husks are generated each year.

Instead of burning straw or burying it, farmers now can sell it at VND400,000 per hectare. This not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but also brings a new source of income from carbon credit sales and straw sales. Farmers can also make a profit when using straw to grow mushrooms and produce animal feed.

It is estimated that 7.5 million tons of rice husks are generated each year. However, only 3 million tons are used as animal feed, and for fertilizer production and firing in rural areas.

In addition to straw and husks, Vietnam has other materials, including bagasse and coconut fiber.

Ngoc Ha