东吴证券：SAF扩产周期中废油脂资源稀缺增值 短期利好SAF生产商

Core Viewpoint - Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is currently the only viable solution for aviation decarbonization, with the HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) route using Used Cooking Oil (UCO) being the first to commercialize [2] Group 1: SAF Supply and Demand - The demand for SAF is expected to rise significantly, with the EU's ReFuel EU Aviation and the UK's SAF directive set to take effect in 2025, mandating SAF blending ratios of at least 2% by 2025, increasing to 70% by 2050 [2] - The EU's SAF demand is projected to reach 105 million tons in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 15% from 2025 to 2050 [2] - In China, the SAF pilot program is set to begin in 2024, with a potential demand of 786 million tons per year if a 20% blending ratio is achieved [3] Group 2: UCO Supply and Demand - China is the largest supplier of waste cooking oil, with a theoretical annual production of 12 million tons, but only 4 million tons are currently utilized [3] - The demand for UCO is expected to increase significantly due to the transition to SAF, with projections indicating that by 2030, UCO demand could reach approximately 233 million tons in the EU alone [3] - In China, the demand for UCO is expected to exceed the current utilization capacity, driven by the transition to SAF production [3] Group 3: UCO Value Enhancement - The price of UCO in China is currently around 7,150 RMB per ton, while bio-jet fuel prices range from 15,000 to 20,000 RMB per ton [4] - The potential price elasticity for UCO could increase by 19% to 63% based on the conversion rates to SAF and processing costs [4]