Avalon BioEnergy Uruguay has inaugurated its first fully integrated biorefinery dedicated to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Latin America, situated in Uruguay. This state-of-the-art facility is poised to make a substantial impact on air travel emissions, with the potential to cut emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fossil fuel-based jet fuels.
The biorefinery’s approach incorporates a sustainable agricultural framework that focuses on cultivating proprietary non-edible oil seed crops while producing green hydrogen via solar-powered electrolysis. This strategy aims to create a low-carbon supply chain for SAF, aligning with global efforts to decarbonise aviation without competing with food resources for energy.
Irshad Ahmed, president and CEO of Auris-Avalon Group of Companies, highlighted the importance of government backing, calling it a pivotal moment for establishing Uruguay’s first SAF facility. He expressed pride in the support received and excitement over positioning Uruguay as a frontrunner in SAF production.
“Our goal is to utilise dedicated non-edible oil seed crops to develop a sustainable feedstock supply chain that not only contributes to global net-zero targets but also promotes regional economic development,” Ahmed stated.
The SAF initiative, classified as a high-impact clean energy project of national significance, has an estimated cost of $380 million (€341 million) and plans to produce 100,000 metric tons of SAF annually using the Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) process.
