Honeywell, Johnson Matthey, GIDARA Energy, and SAMSUNG E&A have announced the formation of a strategic technology alliance aimed at producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from biomass and municipal solid waste. The partnership is designed to streamline the SAF production process by integrating each company’s expertise into an end-to-end solution.
The alliance will use the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) production process to expand feedstock options for SAF, addressing increasing demand and supporting energy security. Customers are expected to benefit from faster project timelines and reduced capital expenditures due to this integrated approach. According to theoretical analysis based on industry benchmarks, the modular solution could shorten the time between feasibility study and facility startup by more than 15% and reduce capital costs by up to 10%.
The joint offering will leverage GIDARA Energy’s gasification technology for transforming feedstocks, Johnson Matthey’s catalysts for converting syngas into fuels, Honeywell’s process technology and automation solutions, and SAMSUNG E&A’s experience in engineering, procurement, construction, and project management.
In response to limits on traditional SAF feedstocks such as vegetable oils or animal fats, the alliance aims to scale up gasification and FT-based methods using non-food biomass and municipal waste. The International Energy Agency projects that biofuels made from waste materials and nonfood crops will account for over 40% of total biofuel demand by 2030 (https://www.iea.org/energy-system/low-emissions-fuels/biofuels#tracking).
Ken West, President and CEO of Honeywell Energy and Sustainability Solutions said: “The launch of our innovative end-to-end SAF alliance demonstrates the power of collaboration to address the world’s energy demands. As demand for SAF increases, the technology to expand available feedstock options becomes increasingly vital. This comprehensive alliance provides refiners with a strategic approach to quickly execute their vision.”
Maurits van Tol, CEO of Catalyst Technologies at Johnson Matthey added: “The alliance targets the common challenges faced by SAF producers and offers a new way forward with greater speed and lower capital expense cost. Bringing such leading expertise together is critical in supporting our customers to reach the final investment decision on their projects and can help accelerate the deployment of SAF worldwide.”
Dr. Norbert Kamp, CEO of GIDARA Energy commented: “This alliance exemplifies what’s possible when expertise and ambition come together. By combining our forces, we are unlocking the value of waste to meet the growing demand for SAF. We are not just providing a technical solution – we are helping clients and communities realize the potential of waste as a catalyst for a future supported by cleaner energy sources.”
Hong Namkoong, President & CEO of SAMSUNG E&A stated: “At SAMSUNG E&A, we believe that delivering end-to-end SAF solutions requires more than innovation—it demands strong alliances with world-class technology providers. By integrating these advanced technologies and leveraging our proven engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) execution excellence, we are building a resilient and scalable SAF value chain that will drive the future of sustainable aviation.”
This initiative builds upon previous collaborations between Johnson Matthey and Honeywell related to synthetic fuel pathways such as methanol-to-jet technologies.
Honeywell recently announced its intention to acquire Johnson Matthey’s Catalyst Technologies business segment; however, this planned acquisition is separate from this newly formed alliance.
GIDARA Energy operates as part of Ara Partners’ portfolio—a private equity firm focused on decarbonizing industrial sectors worldwide.
For further details about this partnership visit https://ess.honeywell.com/us/en/saf-alliance.
