Cosmo Oil Converts SAF By-Product into Chemical Feedstock

Cosmo Oil and its partners are transforming naphtha produced as a by-product of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production into a chemical feedstock. This move aims to reduce carbon emissions associated with chemical raw materials, where naphtha is a crucial component for various products.

The initiative involves Cosmo Oil, Maruzen Petrochemical, UBE-Maruzen Polyethylene, and SAF producer Saffaire Sky Energy. They plan to use bio-based naphtha made from used cooking oil (UCO) as a lower-carbon alternative to fossil-derived naphtha.

The partnership will utilize the UCO-derived naphtha produced at Cosmo Oil's Sakai Refinery in Osaka. Saffaire Sky Energy will manufacture the naphtha, which will be supplied by Cosmo Oil under a mass-balance system. Maruzen Petrochemical will then use it to produce basic chemicals, while UBE-Maruzen Polyethylene will convert these into polyethylene and plastic products.

The project is built on Japan's government-backed effort launched in 2021 to establish a domestic supply chain for SAF derived from UCO. The companies aim to increase supply volumes and develop additional applications for the material, targeting industries such as chemicals, textiles, and packaging.