South Korea’s Chungnam province has officially approved a demonstration project to produce sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) from captured carbon dioxide, marking a significant step in the country's efforts to reduce aviation emissions. Following successful preliminary feasibility reviews, the project is set to develop a facility in Boryeong that will convert CO2 from a nearby coal-fired power plant into e-SAF using advanced chemical synthesis technologies.
The KRW 140.2 billion project, led by LG Chem and supported by key research and industrial partners, aims to produce 700 tonnes of e-SAF annually, utilizing around 4,000 tonnes of CO2. Set to commence construction in 2027 with completion planned for 2030, the project anticipates full industrial operation by 2034, creating substantial economic benefits and positioning the region as a leader in South Korea's emerging e-SAF industry.
This initiative aligns with South Korea’s broader climate commitments, including the phased closure of coal plants and efforts to meet net-zero emissions by 2050. The project received approval from the Ministry of Science and ICT and emphasizes the country's focus on scaling CCU technologies to support global and domestic climate targets, exemplifying Korean leadership in clean fuel innovation.
