Thailand will begin a new phase in its transition to sustainable aviation following confirmation from the Department of Energy Business that, starting January 1, 2026, an initial blend of 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) will be mandatory in jet fuel.

Under the new regulations, Jet A-1 specifications and quality requirements at production and sales points will be classified into three categories: conventional Jet A-1, Jet A-1 through co-processing, and conventional Jet A-1 blended with pure SAF. Specific criteria are also established for SAF, requiring that raw materials and production processes comply with ASTM D7566.

In this initial phase, SAF production in Thailand will be limited to HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) technology. According to Sarawut Kaewtathip, Director General of the Department of Energy Business, the regulations aim to ensure that SAF producers comply with international standards and support the government’s policy of promoting low-carbon aviation fuels. The measure also supports national carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions goals.

The initiative aligns with the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which promotes the use of SAF as a key mechanism for moving global aviation toward net-zero emissions. In Europe, the European Union already applies mandatory SAF blending requirements, with a minimum of 2% in effect from 2025 for flights departing from European airports.

Thailand already has active SAF production projects. Bangchak Corporation is developing a HEFA-based plant using used cooking oil, with a capacity of 1 million liters per day (approximately 6,289 barrels per day), and is scheduled to begin commercial operation in the second quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, PTT Global Chemical (GC) is already producing SAF through HEFA co-processing, with an initial capacity of 16,438 liters per day (approximately 103 barrels per day).

Authorities indicated that this initial phase relies primarily on HEFA, while technologies such as Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ), based on ethanol, are still under development and are not yet fully commercialized.

Source and Credits to Nation Thailand

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