What is Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel?

Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel is produced from renewable waste and residue raw materials such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste. Using Neste MY SAF to replace conventional fossil-based jet fuel helps the aviation industry to reduce GHG emissions and achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Neste MY SAF, a lower-GHG-emission alternative to conventional, fossil-based jet fuel, is in commercial use today by many airlines and available at airports around the globe.  With the use of Neste MY SAF instead of conventional jet fuel, also the so-called non-CO2 impact of aviation, such as contrail formation, can be reduced.

How are emissions for SAF calculated

The use of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel, can reduce GHG emissions by up to 80%* over the fuel’s life cycle when compared to using conventional fossil-based jet fuel. 

The emission reduction is calculated using established life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, such as CORSIA methodology. These calculations follow the "well-to-wake" principle, which accounts for the total emissions generated across the fuel's entire life cycle. This includes emissions from the collection and processing of raw materials, fuel refining, and all logistics associated with transport, as well as the emissions from the final use of the fuel. By comparing this total against the full life cycle emissions of conventional, fossil-based jet fuel, we provide a transparent measurement of the carbon emission reduction achieved.

Non-CO₂ benefits of SAF

Aviation’s climate impact extends beyond carbon dioxide emissions. During flight, aircraft emit a range of other substances, commonly referred to as non-CO₂ emissions. These emissions such as soot, affect atmospheric chemistry, and can act as a basis for the formation of persistent contrail-cirrus clouds.

These clouds trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to a net-warming effect that ASTM D7566 research suggests is as significant as the impact of CO₂ itself.

Sustainable aviation fuel helps address this "hidden" impact due to its chemical composition. Unlike conventional fossil-based jet fuel, SAF contains practically zero aromatics. This results in cleaner combustion with significantly lower particulate (soot) emissions, lowering the likelihood of persistent contrail formation. Using SAF offers a dual-impact solution that reduces the climate impact of both CO₂ and non-CO₂ emissions.

Read more on the subject here.

_{* Calculated for neat i.e. unblended SAF with established life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, such as CORSIA methodology}