Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the critical role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in achieving net-zero carbon emissions in the aviation industry by 2050, highlighting the importance of green hydrogen in SAF production [3][7]. Group 1: SAF Market Overview - In 2023, global aviation fuel consumption reached 306 million tons, resulting in carbon emissions of 962 million tons, accounting for approximately 2.6% of global carbon emissions [3]. - The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set a long-term climate goal to achieve net-zero emissions for international aviation by 2050 [3]. Group 2: SAF Production Technologies - As of May 2025, there are 11 recognized production pathways for SAF, with a maximum blending ratio of 50%. The main processes include HEFA, AtJ, FT, MtJ, and PtL, with MtJ and PtL still undergoing recognition [3]. - It is projected that by 2030, HEFA will dominate SAF production in China, while PtL is expected to become mainstream after 2050 due to its mature technology and near-zero carbon emissions [3]. Group 3: Hydrogen Demand in SAF Production - Different SAF production processes have varying hydrogen requirements. The PtL process requires the most hydrogen, consuming between 0.38 to 0.58 tons of hydrogen per ton of SAF produced [5]. - By the end of 2025, China's SAF projects are expected to have a production capacity of 2.146 million tons per year, primarily using the HEFA process, leading to a hydrogen demand of 172,000 tons [5]. - In an optimistic scenario, hydrogen demand for domestic SAF projects is projected to reach 1 million tons by 2030 and 22 million tons by 2050 as PtL becomes the dominant process [5]. Group 4: Green Hydrogen and Emission Reduction - Utilizing green hydrogen instead of gray hydrogen in SAF production can reduce carbon emissions by over 40% [7]. - As of March 2025, domestic green hydrogen production capacity is estimated to reach 112,400 tons per year, but gray hydrogen remains the preferred choice due to cost advantages and established supply chains [7]. - The transition to green hydrogen is expected to accelerate as costs decrease, policy incentives strengthen, and technology advances [7].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The aviation industry accounts for approximately 3% of global carbon emissions, equating to about 1 billion tons of CO2 equivalent annually, with a target set for significant reductions in carbon intensity by 2050 [4][6] - Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and hydrogen are identified as primary fuel sources for commercial aviation, with SAF being a promising option for decarbonization [4][5] - The report emphasizes the importance of policy measures and regulatory frameworks to drive the adoption of low-carbon fuels in the aviation sector [4] Summary by Sections Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) - SAF has been developed through various processes, with Honeywell's Ecofining™ technology being a notable method that converts 11 types of biomass into renewable fuels [5][10] - The availability of feedstock for SAF production is currently limited, but future advancements in agricultural practices and new production routes like ethanol-to-jet (ETJ) and biomass-to-liquid (BTL) are expected to meet increasing demand [16][17] Carbon Emission Intensity - The carbon intensity (C.I.) of SAF varies significantly based on production routes and feedstock types, with traditional jet fuel having a C.I. of approximately 85-95 g CO2e/MJ, while ETJ can range from 24-78 g CO2e/MJ [20][22] - The report highlights that using sugarcane or forestry residues for SAF production can achieve lower C.I. compared to corn-based SAF [21][25] Infrastructure Reuse - SAF can utilize existing infrastructure for transportation and distribution, making it a more immediate solution for airlines compared to hydrogen, which requires significant infrastructure investment [29][30] - Refining facilities can be repurposed to produce SAF, providing a cost-effective transition for the industry [29] Structural Price Advantages Compared to Hydrogen - The report discusses the cost structure of renewable hydrogen production, which is heavily influenced by electricity prices, and suggests that SAF may currently be more economically viable [31][34] - Renewable hydrogen's production costs are projected to decrease as technology advances, but current costs remain higher than those for SAF [34][35] Inelastic Demand for Air Travel - Historical data indicates that high fuel prices do not significantly reduce passenger numbers, suggesting that airlines can pass on costs to consumers without drastically affecting demand [37][38] - The report notes that consumer willingness to travel remains strong, with a significant percentage of potential travelers expressing a desire to travel as much or more than before the pandemic [37][40] Market Development Milestones - The report outlines key milestones for the adoption of SAF and renewable hydrogen, including policy incentives and infrastructure investments, with a target of 5% SAF adoption by 2030 and 20% by the mid-2030s [53][54] - The current capacity for hydrogen production is insufficient to meet future aviation fuel demands, highlighting the need for further investment in infrastructure [54][55]

Core Insights - The aviation industry is responsible for approximately 99% of its carbon emissions from fuel consumption during flights, and the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is seen as a key pathway to decarbonization, potentially reducing carbon emissions by 80% over its lifecycle [1][4][11] - The Chinese Civil Aviation Administration has initiated a pilot program for SAF, mandating a 1% blend of SAF in domestic flights from specific airports starting March 19, 2025 [1][8] - The global aviation industry aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with SAF expected to contribute significantly to this goal, accounting for 65% of the necessary reductions [2][4] Industry Developments - SAF is currently priced at about five times that of conventional aviation fuel, which poses a challenge for airlines in its adoption [4][6] - Airbus has been proactive in using SAF, consuming over 14 million liters in 2024, which accounted for 16% of its total fuel usage, thereby avoiding nearly 35 million tons of CO2 emissions [5] - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects that SAF will only represent 0.3% of commercial aviation fuel consumption in 2024, significantly lower than earlier estimates [4][6] Policy and Regulation - The European Union has set mandatory SAF blending targets, requiring 2% by 2025, 6% by 2030, and 70% by 2050, which has stimulated demand [6][7] - China's "14th Five-Year" green development plan aims for a SAF consumption of over 20,000 tons in 2025, which would represent about 0.2% of the annual aviation kerosene consumption [7][8] Market Potential in China - China has a diverse range of raw materials for SAF production, including waste oils and agricultural residues, with potential annual production capacity reaching 12 million tons by 2030 [11][12] - The country is the largest market for renewable energy, which can significantly reduce the energy costs associated with SAF production [11][12] - The strong manufacturing capabilities and engineering execution in China are expected to facilitate the rapid development of the SAF industry [12][13]

华夏时报（www.chinatimes.net.cn）记者 王潇雨 图卢兹报道 在航空业"脱碳"目标日益迫近的压力下，飞机制造商也开始加快对新一代商用飞机相关新技术以及研发方案的落 地。尽管目前尚有数千架规模的储备订单仍待交付，且已经在单通道干线客机市场占据了显著优势，但欧洲空中 客车公司（下称"空客"）依然以自我革命的姿态启动了以清洁能源为基础的新一代单通道飞机的研发计划。 押注氢动力 在3月底举行的2025空客峰会上，这家欧洲制造商概述了准备在本世纪30年代后半期投入使用的下一代单通道飞机 的潜在技术基础，并修订了与氢动力飞行相关的技术成熟路线图。 这实际上并不是空客第一次公布将使用氢动力作为新一代商用飞机的核心动力方案，早在2020年一项名为ZEROe 的氢动力系统飞机计划就已经推出，这一计划包括涡扇、涡桨、翼身融合以及全电动在内多种发展路线的新飞机 概念，ZEROe的核心创新之一是使用氢气燃料作为飞机的动力来源，这使得飞机在飞行过程中仅排放水蒸气，完 全消除了二氧化碳的排放。 按照此前发布的计划，ZEROe将在2028年左右正式启动，2035年左右投入运营。但不久前空客宣布该计划"因技术 发展速度低于 ...