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The federal government has awarded a $400,000 grant to Adelaide University to help build co-operation with China on sustainable aviation fuel.
Under the Australia-China Cooperation for Sustainable Aviation (ACCSA) project, the university will look to “strengthen collaboration between Australian and Chinese stakeholders” on faster development and deployment of SAF into the supply chain.
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“It aims to promote practical cooperation between SAF researchers, aviation and fuel industry participants, investors and government stakeholders in both countries, enabling them to capitalise on emerging SAF business and investment opportunities,” the university said.
As part of the program, Adelaide University will deliver “major SAF conferences” in Beijing, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hong Kong and Sydney; launch a student exchange and competition program in universities in Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan; and establish a “long-term SAF industry networking platform” between Australia and China.
“The ACCSA project builds directly on the successful delivery of the University of South Australia’s earlier NFACR Foundation grant (2024–26), Growing sustainable aviation fuel industries in combatting the climate crisis: opportunities for Australia and China,” said Adelaide University Professor of Aviation, Shane Zhang.
“That earlier project delivered a structured program of SAF-focused engagement across Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Chengdu, as well as Melbourne and Adelaide, involving universities, original equipment manufacturers, airlines, fuel producers, consultants and policymakers through forums, technical exchanges and site visits.
“This project enables us to scale what has already been proven to work – bringing industry, government and research together across Australia and China to accelerate SAF readiness, certification alignment and investment-relevant collaboration.”
While the federal government in September invested $1.1 billion over 10 years into the development of low-carbon liquid fuels, including SAF, other industry figures have been sceptical of its benefits.
Paul Lindwall, who presided over the Productivity Commission’s 2019 Economic Regulation of Airports inquiry, cast doubt on SAF’s environmental credentials, calling it in a November op-ed in The Australian Financial Review “an expensive, inefficient distraction from viable alternatives”.
“While proponents tout SAF’s renewable origins, large-scale cultivation of feedstocks often leads to deforestation, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss,” he wrote.
Hydrogen and battery-electric aviation, meanwhile, is being explored by companies including Stralis and Dovetail, with Air New Zealand currently testing a battery-powered electric cargo aircraft.
