Australia could fully supply its aviation biofuel industry with domestic feedstocks

Australia has sufficient agricultural and waste-based feedstocks to build a globally competitive sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry, according to a new GrainCorp white paper, “From Paddock to Plane: Feedstock White Paper,” prepared as part of the Federal Government’s Jet Zero Council initiative.

The report concludes that Australia’s SAF potential is constrained not by feedstock availability but by the need for investment, supportive policy settings and clear market signals. GrainCorp estimates that existing feedstocks, including canola, used cooking oil and other waste streams, could produce SAF volumes equivalent to 117% of Australia’s projected jet fuel demand by 2030, without compromising food production.

Canola oil is identified as the most scalable domestic feedstock thanks to Australia’s well-established agricultural supply chains. The report also highlights used cooking oil and beef tallow as attractive feedstocks for near-term SAF production, although their long-term contribution is limited by relatively low domestic availability and competing end uses.

According to GrainCorp Managing Director and CEO Robert Spurway, Australia currently exports most of the raw materials that could be processed domestically into renewable fuels. Around 80% of the country’s canola crop is exported, mainly to Europe, where it is used to produce renewable fuels. That volume alone is sufficient to produce approximately 1.6 bln litres of sustainable aviation fuel each year.

The white paper comes as the Australian Federal Government prepares to consult on measures aimed at encouraging investment in refining capacity. GrainCorp believes that expanding domestic SAF production would create new opportunities for farmers and processors while strengthening Australia’s energy security, as the country currently imports around 90% of its liquid fuel demand.

Tags: SAF, Australia, biofuel