TU/e project revolutionizes SAF production

Scientists in a project led by the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in The Netherlands have found a breakthrough catalytic method for producing sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) from plant-based lignin. 

The project and the findings have captured global attention with its pioneering approach to SAF production. The innovative approach addresses challenges in breaking carbon-carbon bonds, significantly improving yield and viability. 

The catalytic technology represents a paradigm shift in SAF production, offering substantially higher yields and paving the way for commercial viability. Collaborations with international partners and spinoff companies have played a pivotal role in validating the approach and assessing its scalability.  

Novel catalytic method 

Featured on the cover of Nature Chemical Engineering, the study introduces a novel catalytic method designed to revolutionize the conversion of plant-based lignin into valuable aviation fuels. Lignin, a complex polymer abundant in plant biomass, poses a significant hurdle due to its intricate molecular structure, particularly the resilient carbon-carbon bonds. Conventional processing methods struggle to break these bonds efficiently, limiting the production of viable fuels and chemicals. 

In response, the TU/e team developed a multifaceted catalytic approach capable of selectively cleaving carbon-carbon bonds in lignin. By combining activation and cracking processes, the innovative method unlocks the full potential of lignin-derived monomers, essential for synthesizing diverse aviation fuels and chemicals.