Sustainability and Environment
Promising SAF Production Process Enters ASTM Testing
Unifuel’s Flexiforming promises lower cost SAF
vials containing sustainable aviation fuel samples
Universal Fuel Technologies' ethanol-to-jet sustainable aviation fuels are now under official review by ASTM for qualification to be blended with conventional jet fuel. (Photo: Universal Fuel Technologies)

A new ethanol-to-jet production pathway for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has been accepted into ASTM’s clearinghouse for qualification testing. Developed by Universal Fuel Technology (Unifuel), the “Flexiforming” process upgrades renewable feedstocks—including ethanol, methanol, renewable naphthas, and liquified petroleum gas—into SAF.

While SAF’s higher costs have proven to be one of the concerns regarding its wider adoption, according to Unifuel, its method uses 75% less energy and 33% less hydrogen than other processes. This results in a production cost savings of nearly 50%.