Grinda Exports First Korean Food Waste-Based SAF Feedstock

Discarded food waste has laid the groundwork to become fuel for airplanes flying in European skies. Grinda, a domestic eco-friendly energy company, is writing a new chapter in K-bio energy history by exporting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) raw materials to the European market for the first time. This achievement, coming shortly after the European Union (EU) mandated the use of SAF, holds significant meaning as it marks South Korea's crucial first step towards the global aviation industry's carbon-neutral transition. Grinda's success is underpinned by its proprietary technology. The company has developed an innovative process to convert plant-based oil from previously unused food waste into high-purity SAF raw material, securing a large-scale production capacity of over 10,000 tons annually. Notably, in May, Grinda obtained ISCC EU certification, an internationally recognized standard for sustainability across the entire SAF value chain, from raw material sourcing to production and sales, proving its complete establishment of the SAF value chain. SAF is a next-generation aviation fuel extracted from sustainable resources such as plant-based oils and biomass. Thanks to its ability to reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fossil fuels, it is gaining prominence as a key solution for achieving carbon neutrality in the global aviation industry. The EU has mandated that SAF be blended into jet fuel at a minimum of 2% starting this year, with plans to significantly increase this proportion to over 63% by 2050. South Korea also plans to gradually mandate the use of SAF (at least 1%) on international flights starting in 2027. Hwang Kyu-yong, CEO of Grinda, expressed strong aspirations, stating, "We have created a remarkable transformation where discarded waste is supplied to refineries through our technology," and added, "This export is just the beginning, and we will dedicate our efforts to widely promoting South Korea's advanced technology in the global SAF raw material market." Grinda is expected to contribute to solving environmental problems with its innovative technology and, at the same time, grow into a leading player in the sustainable future aviation industry.