EU SAF use rises nearly sixfold, boosting demand for used oils

In 2025, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply to EU airports rose nearly sixfold to 1.1 mln tons from 193 thsd tons a year earlier. SAF accounted for 2.8% of total aviation fuel supply, exceeding the 2% ReFuelEU Aviation mandate.

Used cooking oil (UCO) remains the key feedstock for SAF production, accounting for around 80% of the total. Further growth in SAF use could intensify competition for UCO and other waste fats between aviation fuel, biodiesel and other biofuel sectors.

Although around 86% of SAF was produced within the EU, 85% of the feedstock used came from outside the bloc. China supplied around 61% of total feedstock volumes, highlighting the high import dependence of the European SAF industry.

In 2025, SAF was supplied to 121 airports across all 27 EU countries, compared with only 33 airports in 2024. This reflects the rapid expansion of the SAF market and related infrastructure.

By 2030, the mandatory SAF share in the EU is set to rise to 6%. EASA estimates that existing and planned production capacity should be sufficient to meet this target, implying further growth in demand for UCO, waste fats and other eligible SAF feedstocks.

Tags: EU, SAF, aviation fuel, used cooking oil