Seoul: South Korea’s flag carrier Korean Air (KE) and engineering firm Samsung E and A have teamed up to build a reliable, large-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and supply ecosystem. SAF lessens the carbon footprint in flight operations as this is made up of renewable waste and raw materials.
According to Philippines News Agency, KE stated that this partnership will further contribute to the aviation industry’s Net Zero 2050 goal and enhance their ability to effectively navigate evolving global environmental regulations, including SAF mandates. Through its partnership with Samsung E and A, the two will develop a SAF production and supply chain originating in the United States.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by KE Vice Chair Keehong Woo and Samsung E and A chief executive officer Namkoong Hong at the KE’s headquarters in Seoul on Nov. 20. KE and Samsung E and A will identify and evaluate overseas SAF production projects, and review long-term SAF opportunities. They will also explore investments in SAF-related technologies and projects.
According to KE, the US was chosen as the first target market since it has an abundant feedstock, advanced technology, and strong infrastructure. Samsung E and A is currently reviewing participation in a US SAF project that will use gasification Fischer-Tropsch (FT) technology to convert woody waste into synthetic liquid fuel. This next-generation approach expands the range of usable feedstocks beyond the limitations of first-generation SAF, which depends on restricted materials such as used cooking oil.
FT-based production can process non-edible and waste biomass such as wood residues, while offering significantly greater carbon-reduction benefits, KE said. The airline mentioned it is reviewing its participation as an offtaker of the SAF produced through the project. “Through proactive project participation and continuous cooperation, we aim to accelerate global SAF adoption and advance our commitment to sustainable aviation and ESG (environmental, social and governance) management,” KE said.
To recall, KE is the first Korean carrier to operate a SAF-blended flight in 2017. In 2024, KE began using domestically produced SAF for select flights departing from Incheon International Airport and later expanded its use in flights via Gimpo International Airport. KE has been using a 1 percent SAF blend on flights from Incheon to Kobe, and Gimpo to Osaka from Sept. 19, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2026. This will cover around 90 flights on the Kobe route and 26 flights on the Osaka route. The airline’s SAF is sourced from domestic suppliers and was produced from used cooking oil.