Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry, indicating expected performance above the market average [2][29]. Core Insights - The European Union (EU) has launched a €3.3 billion investment plan to support the decarbonization of the aviation and shipping sectors, focusing on the development of renewable and low-carbon fuel production systems [3][10]. - The demand for SAF is primarily driven by policy initiatives, with the EU aiming for a 2% blending target by 2025 and a long-term goal of 70% by 2050. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects SAF demand to reach 358 million tons by 2050, indicating significant growth potential [4][6]. - The EU's ambitious decarbonization goals require an estimated €100 billion investment by 2035 to meet future SAF demand, with the recent investment plan signaling a commitment to stabilize investor confidence and expand the renewable fuel production and usage [4][10][14]. Summary by Sections Investment Plan and Policy Framework - The EU's Sustainable Transport Investment Plan outlines a roadmap for promoting the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels, aiming for a 90% reduction in transport-related carbon emissions by 2050. The plan includes a target of 20% SAF blending by 2035 and requires approximately €100 billion in investments, with 60% allocated to aviation fuels [10][14]. - The plan also establishes a mechanism to stabilize returns for producers and reduce investment risks, enhancing international cooperation to boost global renewable fuel production [16] Market Dynamics and Pricing - SAF prices have surged due to high production costs compared to traditional jet fuel, with the price of high-end SAF in China reaching $2,650 per ton as of November 10, 2023, a 47.22% increase from the beginning of the year [4][18]. - The scarcity of SAF raw materials, such as used cooking oil (UCO), is expected to sustain high market demand and pricing, as the EU's mandatory blending targets remain unchanged [4][18]. Company Recommendations - The report recommends investing in 嘉澳环保 (Jiaao Environmental Protection) and 卓越新能 (Zhuoyue New Energy). Jiaao Environmental Protection is a leading domestic SAF producer with a capacity of 500,000 tons and has received export approval. Zhuoyue New Energy is a major biodiesel producer with plans to expand its SAF production capacity [5][23]. Financial Performance - Companies in the renewable fuel sector, such as Neste, have reported significant growth in their operations, with a notable increase in production and sales volumes, reflecting the rising demand and prices for renewable fuels [20].