Fiji Airways Looks to Pacific, Sugarcane Crops for New SAF Production

Sustainable aviation fuel continues to stay top-of-mind as industry members seek out further production avenues to meet growing demand. These efforts have led to seeking out increased production opportunities in new areas.

One such area gaining attention is in the Pacific. Fiji Airways has announced a new partnership to explore the feasibility of SAF production in this area using sugarcane crops. It could offer immense potential to help accommodate SAF growth and demand.

Fiji Airways Explores Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production in the Pacific

Fiji Airways is taking a significant step forward by collaborating with The Fiji Sugar Corp. Ltd. (FSC) and Lee Enterprises Consulting to explore SAF production in Fiji. The initiative seeks to understand the potential of sustainable aviation and agriculture in the Pacific region. This includes how the investment would impact economic opportunities for local farmers and communities.

Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the project will evaluate the feasibility of establishing a comprehensive SAF production and utilization model in Fiji. It will leverage local agricultural resources, international expertise, and Fiji’s national airline.

Study Explores Sugarcane to Ethanol for SAF

The study will focus on using sugar cane and its byproducts—molasses, sugar, bagasse, and biomass—as feedstocks for ethanol production which will then be processed into SAF.

Several key players are involved in this effort:

• Lee Enterprises Consulting will lead the technological and economic feasibility study. The group will explore multiple pathways to convert sugar cane byproducts into ethanol-based SAF using advanced bioenergy technologies.

• The Fiji Sugar Corp. Ltd. produces sugar cane-based feedstocks to serve as a primary feedstock source for SAF production. Their role is crucial in providing renewable and sustainable biomass for the project.

• Fiji Airways is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and setting an example for other airlines in the region by investing in renewables.

ADB will oversee the project to ensure it aligns with international sustainability standards and regional development goals. The bank will also provide funding support and facilitate knowledge exchange among partners.

Benefits of Using Sugarcane Byproducts for SAF

Sugarcane byproducts used as feedstocks for SAF production offer several benefits:

• Reduced Carbon Emissions: Sugarcane’s high biomass production and rapid growth significantly absorb carbon dioxide. This yields a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when the resulting SAF is used in aviation.

• High Yield and Productivity: Sugarcane is one of the most productive crops in terms of biomass yield per hectare. Its sugars can be easily fermented into ethanol and then refined into SAF.
• Energy Efficiency: Bagasse—the dry, fibrous pulp that remains after extracting juice from sugarcane—can also be used as a bioenergy source to power the production process. The material further reduces the carbon footprint and improves its conservation potential.

The use of sugarcane leftovers highlights the potential of using agricultural byproducts in the production of biofuels like SAF. This additional feedstock source allows for an even greater carbon savings through the reuse of a substance that would have otherwise been discarded as waste.

Related: How Feedstocks from Crops Create Advanced Biofuels

SAF Expansion Key to Industry Future

This partnership positions Fiji as a potential leader in the development, production, and adoption of SAF in the Pacific. The success of this project could serve as a model for other regions, contributing to global efforts to reduce aviation emissions and provide new economic opportunities.

The increased attention and projected demand for SAF will only hasten the call for additional SAF production. This will mean aggressive investment in untapped regions and resources like non-crop feedstocks to meet these increasing volume requirements.

The market will continue to seek out solutions to the emerging problem of production and resource limitation. Investing in solutions now could position areas like the Pacific as leaders in the SAF space into the future.

On-Demand Webinar on 2025 SAF Market Outlook Now Available

As the SAF market rapidly grows, industry stakeholders need the right knowledge and insights to understand what lies ahead.

ResourceWise recently held a live webinar event exploring the current landscape of the SAF market as we progress toward 2025 and beyond.

• The present state of the SAF market and its future trajectory
• Global SAF market projections into and beyond 2025
• Impact analysis of SAF mandates as enforcement begins
• Supply and demand dynamics in key regions: EU/UK, US, and Asia
• Insights on future production, pathways, and pricing expectations

The webinar is presented by Mat Stone, founder and Managing Director of Prima and ResourceWise's VP of Business Development. With over a decade of experience in the low-carbon fuels and feedstocks market, Mat’s expertise will help you better understand the most critical challenges in this complex market sector.

Don’t miss out on these crucial industry details. Access the webinar today.