Sasol receives international approval for environment-friendly, fully synthetic aviation fuel

South African synthetic fuel producer Sasol said it had received international approval for its completely synthetic jet fuel, produced through its proprietary coal-to-liquids (CTL) process. Sasol said the approval marked a significant development in the adoption of clean burning alternative fuels for the aviation industry.

Sanctioned by global aviation fuel specification authorities, Sasol's CTL fuel will reportedly be the first fully synthetic fuel to be approved for use in commercial airliners. Engine-out emissions of Sasol's jet fuel are reportedly lower than those from jet fuel derived from crude oil due to its limited sulfur content.

Sasol said that the approval of its CTL fuel for commercial aviation is also a milestone in the effort to secure domestic energy supply for South Africa and other countries with significant domestic coal and natural gas reserves.

Pat Davies, CEO of Sasol, said: "This approval by the international aviation fuel authorities recognizes the absolute need to develop aviation fuel from feedstocks other than crude-oil in order to meet the world's growing needs."