2026 Global Market Report on Catalysts for Converting Used Cooking Oil (UCO) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Emerging markets—including China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East—are expected to become new growth engines, while the European market is projected to grow more moderately due to stable demand for light distillates in European countries. In terms of reaction mechanisms, catalysts for converting used cooking oil (UCO) into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can be broadly categorized into hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) catalysts and hydrocracking/isomerization catalysts. Hydrodeoxygenation is the dominant catalyst type, accounting for 72% of revenue market share. Catalysts for converting UCO into SAF are used in SAF production for commercial aircraft, military aircraft, and other aircraft. According to report data, commercial aircraft account for 94% of demand for such catalysts. Producing SAF from used cooking oil (UCO)—a renewable bio-waste resource—holds tremendous potential for advancing sustainability in the aviation industry. Although SAF is undoubtedly a cleaner, less polluting alternative to conventional jet fuel, it still faces certain drawbacks. Globally, SAF accounts for less than 1% of total aviation fuel consumption, and its cost remains significantly higher than that of conventional kerosene. Nonetheless, an increasing number of companies are investing in breakthrough technologies to convert diverse feedstocks into aviation fuel, and more airlines are betting on SAF—taking decisive steps toward net-zero emissions. The market is expected to grow rapidly over the coming years. The regulatory landscape surrounding SAF is evolving rapidly, laying the foundation for exponential market expansion. Over the past six years, the number of legally binding policies supporting SAF development has surged—from just one between 2013 and 2017 to 22 in 2022. As more countries commit to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, low-carbon aviation has become a top priority in new policy frameworks and environmental strategies. This report focuses on analyzing the global market size of catalysts for converting UCO into SAF, as well as the market shares and rankings of leading manufacturers. Key metrics include catalyst production capacity, sales volume, revenue, pricing, market share, and company rankings. Enterprise-level data primarily covers the market performance of major players over the past three years. At the regional level, the report analyzes market scale and trends across major production and consumption regions over the past five years—and forecasts them for the next five years. At the enterprise level, the report highlights internationally and domestically representative companies in the UCO-to-SAF catalyst market—particularly those demonstrating leadership in scale and technology—and identifies national-level “specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative” enterprises across relevant sectors. Through a global lens, the report offers deep insights into competitive dynamics, current industry status, and future trends. Key enterprises covered in this UCO-to-SAF catalyst report include: Advanced Refining Technologies (ART), Albemarle, Shell Catalysts & Technologies, Topsoe, UOP, Axens, Sinopec, Bharat Petroleum, and Clariant. Additional target enterprises may be included upon client request.

2025 (13th) Asia Refining & Petrochemical Technology Conference: Forums and Event Highlights

Kang Xiaoling, General Manager of Shanghai Donggeng Chemical Technology Co., Ltd., delivered a keynote speech titled “Development and Application of Bio-based Elastomeric Copolyesters,” showcasing her company’s deep expertise and outstanding achievements in the bio-based materials field—and injecting fresh momentum into the industrialization of bio-based elastomeric copolyesters. The successful hosting of this seminar established a high-end exchange platform for the bio-based materials industry, fostering intellectual cross-pollination and conceptual integration among stakeholders, and powerfully propelling the sector toward a new stage of high-quality development. Sustainable Low-Carbon Fuels (SAF) Session On the morning of June 25, the Sustainable Low-Carbon Fuels (SAF) session of the 2025 (13th) Asia Refining & Petrochemical Technology Conference was held. The session was moderated by Sun Weishan, Member of the CPC Committee and Vice President of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (CPCIF). SAF—derived from renewable resources or waste streams—is a critical pathway for decarbonizing aviation, and its commercial-scale production is urgently needed. The session attracted over 50 participants, including refining & petrochemical experts from domestic and international enterprises, technology suppliers, and representatives from local petrochemical companies, who jointly explored emerging trends, cutting-edge technologies, and key challenges in the SAF domain. During the session, experts engaged in in-depth discussions on core topics including SAF technological innovation, application development, and international certification. Li Mingfeng, Chairman and President of Sinopec Research Institute of Petroleum Processing Co., Ltd., presented a systematic overview of the SAF technology roadmap—research findings and practical implementation—providing the industry with a clear strategic direction. Guo Liang, Business Manager at ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co., Ltd., focused on unlocking SAF and renewable diesel’s latent value through increased production capacity. Technological innovation is pivotal to achieving breakthroughs in SAF. Cao Peng, Technical Licensing Manager for Topsoe China, shared innovative solutions for SAF production. Wang Quan, Vice Director of Strategic Development at Beijing Shougang Langze Technology Co., Ltd., delivered a speech titled “Bio-Manufacturing Rides the Wave: Disrupting Tradition and Leading the Future,” analyzing SAF’s development prospects. Song Yang, Sales Director for Sustainable Technologies at Honeywell, discussed how new technologies are diversifying SAF production pathways—sharing sustainable technology solutions and global SAF business opportunities. SCS Global Services—a world-leading third-party provider of sustainability certification, consulting, and standardization—was represented by Robert Early, Director of Business Development and Strategy for Greater China. In his presentation, Early introduced international certification systems for biofuels and low-carbon fuels, offering essential standards to help SAF products gain global market access and international recognition. Competitive Refining & Petrochemicals Forum Also on the morning of June 25, the Competitive Refining & Petrochemicals Forum of the 2025 (13th) Asia Refining & Petrochemical Technology Conference was held. The forum was moderated by Fu Xiangsheng, Deputy Party Secretary and Vice President of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (CPCIF), who also delivered the opening address. Top-tier industry experts and corporate leaders gathered to jointly explore frontier technologies and development trends in the refining and petrochemicals sector. The forum was organized by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (CPCIF), co-organized by the China Chemical Society, and supported by Beifang Huajin Chemical Industry Group Co., Ltd. During the forum, Zhang Laiyong, Chief Technical Expert of China Huanqiu Engineering Corporation Ltd., presented “Development and Application of Green & Low-Carbon Ethylene Technology.” Kou Bo, Chief Researcher at Chevron Lummus Global LLC, and Song Xinrui, Licensing & Contract Support Manager at Eni Group, jointly presented “EST Slurry-Bed Hydrocracking: A Versatile Technology for Upgrading Conventional Fossil Feedstocks and Future Low-Carbon Feedstocks.” Du Yanzhe, Deputy General Manager and Vice President of Sinopec (Dalian) Petrochemical Research Institute Co., Ltd., addressed “Analysis and Discussion on Long-Term Stable Operation of Large-Scale Hydroprocessing Units in Integrated Refining & Petrochemical Complexes.” Ma An, former Deputy Director of the Planning & Research Institute of PetroChina Company Limited, delivered “Optimizing Petroleum Hydrocarbon Molecular Processing to Advance High-Quality Transformation.” Yang Shanshan, Sales Director of Huajin Aramco Petrochemical Co., Ltd., spoke on “State-Owned Enterprises Leading the Way: Intelligent Manufacturing for the Future.” Wang Lei, Chief Technology Manager of Honeywell UOP, presented “Reshaping the Transformation Pathway for Refining and Petrochemicals in the Future.”

Topsoe and BPCL Sign SAF Project Technical Contract

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Topsoe and BPCL signed a technical license to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at BPCL's Mumbai refinery using modified kerosene hydrotreating units. Utilizing 5% waste cooking oil, the project targets India's 2027 SAF blending mandates with completion planned for late 2026.

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Topsoe and BPCL Sign SAF Project Technical Contract

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