Next-generation eco-friendly fuel synthesized from CO₂ and green hydrogen

'We will strengthen competitiveness in carbon-reduction technology for aviation'

LG Chem announced Wednesday it will pursue a technology demonstration project to convert carbon dioxide into sustainable aviation fuel as part of the Ministry of Science and ICT's CCU (carbon capture and utilization) mega-project. Pictured are LG Chem CTO Shim Gyu-seok (third from left) and Kim No-ma, head of the foundational technology research institute (first from left), at a CCU technology demonstration and project launch ceremony held at the Korea Institute of Energy Research. [LG Chem]
LG Chem announced Wednesday it will pursue a technology demonstration project to convert carbon dioxide into sustainable aviation fuel as part of the Ministry of Science and ICT's CCU (carbon capture and utilization) mega-project. Pictured are LG Chem CTO Shim Gyu-seok (third from left) and Kim No-ma, head of the foundational technology research institute (first from left), at a CCU technology demonstration and project launch ceremony held at the Korea Institute of Energy Research. [LG Chem]

LG Chem is moving to secure technology that converts carbon dioxide into e-SAF, or electrofuel-based sustainable aviation fuel.

The company announced Wednesday it will pursue a technology demonstration project to convert carbon dioxide into sustainable aviation fuel as part of the Ministry of Science and ICT's CCU (carbon capture and utilization) mega-project.

LG Chem will serve as the lead coordinating institution for the project, joined by Hyundai E&C, LT Metal, Procon Engineering, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, the Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, the Korea Institute of Energy Research, the Korea Petroleum Quality & Distribution Authority, UNIST, Gunsan University and South Chungcheong Province. The project runs from 2026 through 2030.

LG Chem plans to demonstrate a process that reacts captured carbon dioxide with green hydrogen to synthesize fuel, then converts it into e-SAF through additional refining and upgrading steps. E-SAF is a next-generation eco-friendly fuel that can significantly cut carbon emissions compared with conventional fossil fuel-based aviation fuel, and is drawing attention as a key technology for achieving global carbon neutrality.

Major economies are already accelerating the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel. The EU plans to raise its SAF blending ratio to 70 percent by 2050 — with synthetic fuels accounting for 35 percent of that — while the United Kingdom has set a target of 28.2 percent by 2040, including 4.5 percent from synthetic sources. Singapore, Japan and India are also expanding adoption in phases. South Korea plans to begin mandatory blending of 1 percent SAF from 2027, scaling up to between 7 and 10 percent by 2035.

"CCU technology is a core carbon-neutrality technology that transforms carbon dioxide into a new resource," said Shim Gyu-seok, LG Chem's chief technology officer. "We will continue to enhance the efficiency of e-SAF production through advances in CO₂ conversion technology and strengthen our competitiveness in carbon-reduction technology for the aviation sector."


keg@heraldcorp.com