COSMO’s Commitment to Domestic SAF for a Sustainable Future

With a focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), the Cosmo Energy Group is working toward achieving net zero carbon emissions by undertaking Japan’s first large-scale production of locally made SAF.

What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is an aviation fuel produced from feedstocks such as used cooking oil and plants, rather than fossil resources. Compared to conventional aviation fuels, SAF can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 84% over its entire lifecycle, thereby helping to minimize its environmental impact.

One of SAF’s advantages is its ease of adoption, as it can be used with existing infrastructure, including aircraft, storage facilities, and refueling equipment, without the need for modifications.

As a result, SAF is being adopted worldwide, and the Japanese government plans to mandate its supply to help achieve its 2030 target of reducing aviation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 5%.

Pioneering Locally Made SAF Production in Japan

Aiming for Annual Domestic SAF Production of 30,000 Kiloliters

SAF is made from feedstocks such as used cooking oil, microalgae, wood chips, sugarcane, and wastepaper. The Cosmo Energy Group, however, is focusing on producing SAF from used cooking oil.

The SAF production plant at Cosmo Oil’s Sakai Refinery was completed on December 25, 2024, with trial operations initiated in January 2025. The facility is expected to produce 30,000 kiloliters of locally made SAF annually, marking Japan’s first large-scale SAF production.

Journey to Completion of Japan’s First Large-Scale Production Demonstration Facility for Locally Made SAF (Sakai Refinery, Osaka Prefecture)

(Following construction completion)

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(Photo taken on November 19, 2024)

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(Photo taken on October 25, 2024)

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(Photo taken on September 20, 2024)

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(Photo taken on July 5, 2024)

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(Photo taken on June 7, 2024)

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(Photo taken on May 10, 2024)

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(Photo taken on April 19, 2024)

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(Photo taken on April 5, 2024)

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(Photo taken on March 22, 2024)

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(Photo taken on March 9, 2024)

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(Photo taken on February 24, 2024)

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(Photo taken on February 10, 2024)

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(Prior to commencement of construction)

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The Cosmo Energy Group and SAFFAIRE SKY ENERGY LLC¹ have become the first in Japan to obtain ISCC² CORSIA and ISCC EU certifications for their entire SAF supply chain, from feedstock procurement to SAF production and sales. The two companies plan to supply SAF that meets international standards to airlines starting in April 2025.

^{1. SAFFAIRE SKY ENERGY LLC was established in 2022 by Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd., JGC HOLDINGS CORPORATION, and REVO International Inc.}

^{2. International Sustainability & Carbon Certification: an initiative that recognizes compliance with international standards for sustainable products}

Overview of the Used Cooking Oil-Derived SAF Supply Chain

The Cosmo Energy Group plays a critical role in the SAF supply chain.

The above diagram provides a comprehensive overview of the SAF supply chain, which can be broadly divided into three stages: collection, production and transportation, and utilization.

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The Cosmo Energy Group has established dedicated collection points at AEON MALLs and gasoline stations in Sakai City to collect used cooking oil from households and restaurants.

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Used cooking oil is initially collected from restaurants and facilities across Japan in various types of containers. It is then transported to a primary relay station, where it is transferred into one-kiloliter plastic containers and packed into dedicated shipping containers. The plastic containers are then transported by truck from the primary relay station to a secondary relay station located within Cosmo Oil’s premises.

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Used cooking oil is first processed through a centrifugal separator to remove impurities before being stored in tanks. The filtered used cooking oil is chemically treated and converted into biofuel. The resulting biofuel is refined to meet international quality standards and used as SAF. At the Sakai Refinery’s plant, up to 2,000 kiloliters of blended SAF are produced in a single blending cycle.

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SAF is stored in dedicated tanks and is directly shipped by sea from the shipping pier within the Sakai Refinery. The facility is directly connected to Kansai Airport via a route through Osaka Bay. Ultimately, SAF is supplied to aircraft and used in their operations, just like conventional jet fuel.

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Initiatives to Promote the Recycling of Used Cooking Oil

Participating in the Fry to Fly Project

The “Fry to Fly Project” is an initiative that collects used cooking oil from households and restaurants and converts it into SAF. The project involves local governments and businesses across the country, with Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd., a member of the Cosmo Energy Group, also participating.

Fry to Fly Project (available in Japanese only)

Partnerships with Local Governments

The Cosmo Energy Group is working to promote the recycling of used cooking oil in collaboration with local governments. In 2024, we signed a partnership agreement with Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, aimed at repurposing used cooking oil.

Facility for receiving used cooking oil as feedstock for SAF

Used cooking oil collection

＜Example initiatives＞

Started collecting used cooking oil from citizens at five AEON MALL branches in Osaka Prefecture, including two locations within Sakai City:
AEON MALL Sakai Teppocho (Sakai-ku, Sakai City)
AEON MALL Sakai Kitahanada (Kita-ku, Sakai City)
AEON Fujiidera Shopping Center (Fujiidera City)
AEON MALL Rinku Sennan (Sennan City)
AEON MALL Hineno (Izumisano City)
Started collecting used cooking oil from citizens at Cosmo Oil service stations in Sakai City

SAF initiative – Latest information

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