Japan’s Cosmo Oil has signed an agreement with the western city of Shimonoseki to collect used cooking oil from households and businesses and convert it into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The project aims to establish a domestic supply chain for low-carbon jet fuel, addressing increasing global demand. Cosmo Energy Holdings, Japan’s third-largest oil refiner, will process the collected waste oil at facilities operated by SAF producer Saffaire Sky Energy, with the fuel marketed through Cosmo’s channels.
Shimonoseki, a strategic transportation hub in western Japan on Honshu island, with a population of around 250,000, will coordinate the collection efforts from households and commercial operators, expanding to supermarkets and community facilities. The initiative aligns with Japan’s broader goal of decarbonizing aviation, which faces regulatory pressure and reliance on imported SAF.
SAF produced from waste cooking oil can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80 per cent compared to conventional jet fuel. Using readily available feedstocks like used cooking oil is considered a commercially viable pathway, especially as Japan seeks to increase domestic SAF production. The project reflects regional efforts to promote resource recycling and environmental sustainability, with public campaigns encouraging community participation. Industry leaders emphasize the importance of such initiatives for Japan’s low-carbon economy transition.
