Sugarcane residues could open a new supply opportunity for sustainable aviation fuel.

Sugarcane residues could open a new supply opportunity for sustainable aviation fuel.

In Australia’s Burdekin region, Project Lion has selected NEXTCHEM’s gasification technology for a development with the potential to produce up to 125,000 tonnes of SAF per year at full scale.

The planned process will convert locally available sugarcane tops and other harvest residues into purified syngas, followed by conversion into SAF and renewable diesel through downstream technologies.

For the sector, the opportunity extends beyond fuel production. Projects of this kind could create demand for agricultural residue collection, storage, processing and logistics — bringing new suppliers into the aviation fuel value chain.

The commercial challenge is turning seasonal biomass into a dependable industrial supply. Collection costs, moisture, storage losses and transport distances will all influence the economics.

At Sky Pure Energy, we see feedstock diversification as an important part of developing future SAF supply. Its value depends on matching local resources with the right technology and a commercially viable supply chain.

The technology award remains subject to a Notice to Proceed, except for certain engineering services. The announced capacity is potential future output.

For biomass suppliers and project developers: what is the biggest barrier to securing reliable agricultural residue supply at scale?