Sustainable aviation fuel from landfill gas production reaches 100 kilograms per day at a demonstration facility in South Korea using an integrated process that converts food waste emissions into jet fuel.
Sustainable aviation fuel from landfill gas became a reality through collaboration between the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) and EN2CORE Technology. The team successfully demonstrated an integrated process converting organic waste gas into aviation fuel at a pilot facility in Dalseong-gun, Daegu. The facility produces 100 kilograms of fuel daily with liquid fuel selectivity exceeding 75%.
The aviation industry accounts for a significant share of global carbon emissions. The international community is expanding the mandatory use of sustainable aviation fuel expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fossil-based jet fuel. However, high production costs remain a major challenge. Some airlines in Europe and Japan already pass these costs to consumers.
The current refining industry mainly produces sustainable aviation fuel from used cooking oil. This feedstock faces limitations. Used cooking oil is limited in supply and competes with biodiesel applications. The resource is relatively expensive and difficult to secure in large quantities. Landfill gas generated from food waste and livestock manure offers an abundant and inexpensive alternative.
Producing sustainable aviation fuel from landfill gas requires overcoming two major challenges. First, purifying the gas to obtain suitable intermediates. Second, improving the efficiency of converting gaseous intermediates into liquid fuels. The research team addressed these challenges by developing an integrated process encompassing landfill gas pretreatment, syngas production, and catalytic conversion.
EN2CORE Technology handled upstream processes. Landfill gas collected from waste disposal sites undergoes desulfurization treatment. Membrane-based separation reduces excess carbon dioxide. The purified gas converts into synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen using a proprietary plasma reforming reactor. This syngas is then supplied to KRICT facilities.
KRICT applied the Fischer-Tropsch process to convert gaseous syngas into liquid fuels. Hydrogen and carbon react on the catalyst surface to form hydrocarbon chains. Hydrocarbons of appropriate chain length become liquid fuels. Longer chains form solid byproducts such as wax. By employing zeolite- and cobalt-based catalysts, KRICT significantly improved selectivity toward liquid fuels over solid byproducts.
A key innovation involves the application of microchannel reactor technology. Excessive heat generation during the synthesis of sustainable aviation fuel from landfill gas can damage catalysts and reduce process stability. The microchannel reactor features alternating layers of catalyst and coolant channels. This design enables rapid heat removal and suppression of thermal runaway.
The integrated, modular design reduced the reactor volume by up to one-tenth compared to conventional systems. Production capacity can expand simply by adding modules. This scalability proves crucial for deployment at various facility sizes.
The demonstration facility measures approximately 100 square meters, comparable to a two-story detached house. This compact footprint demonstrates potential for decentralized production. The team is currently optimizing long-term operation conditions and further enhancing catalyst and reactor performance.
Dr. Yun-Jo Lee leads the research team at KRICT. The work represents the first domestic demonstration of aviation fuel production using landfill gas as primary feedstock. Previous approaches relied heavily on feedstocks with supply constraints. This breakthrough validates the use of abundant waste-derived resources.
The achievement demonstrates potential to convert everyday waste-derived gases from food waste and sewage sludge into high-value aviation fuel. Aviation fuel production previously remained limited to large-scale centralized plants. This technology shows production can occur at local landfills or small waste treatment facilities. The approach enables the establishment of decentralized sustainable aviation fuel from landfill gas production systems.
Korea’s position in the sustainable aviation fuel industry could be strengthened through this technology. The country generates substantial amounts of organic waste suitable for producing landfill gas. Converting this waste stream into a valuable fuel addresses both waste management and aviation emissions challenges.
The research team noted the work is significant in securing integrated process technology converting organic waste into high-value fuels. KRICT President Young-Kuk Lee stated that the technology has strong potential to become a leading solution that achieves both carbon-neutrality and circular economy goals.
The development of two catalysts enabling the selective production of liquid fuels was published as an inside-cover article in ACS Catalysis in November 2025. Additional findings appeared in the Fuel journal in January 2026. These publications detail the catalyst innovations making efficient, sustainable aviation fuel from landfill gas production possible.
The research received support through the National Research Foundation, funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT. The project title was “Development of an integrated demonstration process for the production of bio-naphtha/lubricant oil from organic waste-derived biogas.” This government backing reflects national interest in developing domestic sustainable aviation fuel capabilities.
The technology addresses multiple environmental objectives. It reduces methane emissions from landfills by capturing and utilizing the gas. It decreases the aviation sector’s dependence on fossil fuels. It creates value from waste streams that would otherwise require management as environmental hazards. The integrated approach exemplifies the principles of the circular economy.
Commercial deployment will require additional optimization and scale-up efforts. The team continues refining catalyst formulations and reactor designs. Long-term operational data will inform commercial facility engineering. Partnerships with waste management companies and aviation fuel distributors could accelerate market entry.
The modular nature of the system offers flexibility for various deployment scenarios. Small facilities could serve regional airports. Larger installations could supply major aviation hubs. The technology adapts to available landfill gas volumes and local fuel demand.
As international aviation emissions regulations tighten, sustainable aviation fuel from landfill gas production provides airlines with compliance pathways. The abundant availability of feedstock contrasts favorably with supply-constrained alternatives. This domestic production capability reduces import dependence while supporting waste management infrastructure.
