KRICT demonstrates 100kg per day sustainable aviation fuel production from landfill gas

Joint research by KRICT and EN2CORE Technology validates an integrated process that produces aviation fuel from abundant landfill gas—more readily available than used cooking oil—demonstrating the feasibility of decentralized SAF production

National Research Council of Science & Technology

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Research team at KRICT

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Credit: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology(KRICT)

The aviation industry accounts for a significant share of global carbon emissions. In response, the international community is expanding mandatory use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which is produced from organic waste or biomass and is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fossil-based jet fuel. However, high production costs remain a major challenge, leading some airlines in Europe and Japan to pass SAF-related costs on to consumers.

Against this backdrop, a research team led by Dr. Yun-Jo Lee at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), in collaboration with EN2CORE Technology Co., Ltd., has successfully demonstrated an integrated process that converts landfill gas generated from organic waste—such as food waste—into aviation fuel.

Currently, the refining industry mainly produces SAF from used cooking oil. However, used cooking oil is limited in supply and is also used for other applications such as biodiesel, making it relatively expensive and difficult to secure in large quantities. In contrast, landfill gas generated from food waste and livestock manure is abundant and inexpensive. This study represents the first domestic demonstration of aviation fuel production using landfill gas as the primary feedstock.

Producing aviation fuel from landfill gas requires overcoming two major challenges: purifying the gas to obtain suitable intermediates and improving the efficiency of converting gaseous intermediates into liquid fuels. The research team addressed these challenges by developing an integrated process encompassing landfill gas pretreatment, syngas production, and catalytic conversion of syngas into liquid fuels.

EN2CORE Technology was responsible for the upstream processes. Landfill gas collected from waste disposal sites is desulfurized and treated using membrane-based separation to reduce excess carbon dioxide. The purified gas is then converted into synthesis gas—containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen—using a proprietary plasma reforming reactor, and subsequently supplied to KRICT.

KRICT applied the Fischer–Tropsch process to convert the gaseous syngas into liquid fuels. In this process, hydrogen and carbon react on a catalyst surface to form hydrocarbon chains. Hydrocarbons of appropriate chain length become liquid fuels, while longer chains form solid byproducts such as wax. By employing zeolite- and cobalt-based catalysts, KRICT significantly improved selectivity toward liquid fuels rather than solid byproducts.

A key innovation of this work is the application of a microchannel reactor. Excessive heat generation during aviation fuel synthesis can damage catalysts and reduce process stability. The microchannel reactor developed by the team features alternating layers of catalyst and coolant channels, enabling rapid heat removal and suppression of thermal runaway. Through integrated and modular design, the reactor volume was reduced by up to one-tenth compared to conventional systems. Production capacity can be expanded simply by adding modules.

For demonstration purposes, the team constructed an integrated pilot facility on a landfill site in Dalseong-gun, Daegu. The facility, approximately 100 square meters in size and comparable to a two-story detached house, successfully produced 100 kg of sustainable aviation fuel per day, achieving a liquid fuel selectivity exceeding 75 percent. The team is currently optimizing long-term operation conditions and further enhancing catalyst and reactor performance.

This achievement demonstrates the potential to convert everyday waste-derived gases from food waste and sewage sludge into high-value aviation fuel. Moreover, it shows that aviation fuel production—previously limited to large-scale centralized plants—can be realized at local landfills or small waste treatment facilities. The technology is therefore expected to contribute to the establishment of decentralized SAF production systems and strengthen the competitiveness of Korea’s SAF industry.

The research team noted that the work is significant in securing an integrated process technology that converts organic waste into high-value fuels. KRICT President Young-Kuk Lee stated that the technology has strong potential to become a representative solution capable of achieving both carbon neutrality and a circular economy.

The development of two catalysts enabling selective production of liquid fuels was published as an inside cover article in ACS Catalysis (November 2025) and in Fuel (January 2026).

 

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KRICT is a non-profit research institute funded by the Korean government. Since its foundation in 1976, KRICT has played a leading role in advancing national chemical technologies in the fields of chemistry, material science, environmental science, and chemical engineering. Now, KRICT is moving forward to become a globally leading research institute tackling the most challenging issues in the field of Chemistry and Engineering and will continue to fulfill its role in developing chemical technologies that benefit the entire world and contribute to maintaining a healthy planet. More detailed information on KRICT can be found at https://www.krict.re.kr/eng/

This research was supported by “Development of integrated demonstration process for the production of bio naphtha/lubricant oil from organic waste-derived biogas” (Project No. RS-2022-NR068680) through the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), Republic of Korea.

Facility for Converting Landfill Gas into Syngas (CO and H₂) Suitable for SAF Production

Unlike conventional systems, the use of miniaturized and modular microchannel reactors enables facility deployment at a small scale.

Credit

Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology(KRICT)

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Journal

ACS Catalysis

DOI

10.1021/acscatal.5c03696 

Article Title

Tailoring Zeolite-Supported Bifunctional Cobalt Catalysts for Direct Conversion of Syngas to Liquid Fuels

 

KRICT demonstrates 100kg per day sustainable aviation fuel production from landfill gas

Joint research by KRICT and EN2CORE Technology validates an integrated process that produces aviation fuel from abundant landfill gas—more readily available than used cooking oil—demonstrating the feasibility of decentralized SAF production

National Research Council of Science & Technology

FacebookXLinkedInWeChatBlueskyMessageWhatsAppEmail

 

image: 

Research team at KRICT

view more 

Credit: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology(KRICT)

The aviation industry accounts for a significant share of global carbon emissions. In response, the international community is expanding mandatory use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which is produced from organic waste or biomass and is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fossil-based jet fuel. However, high production costs remain a major challenge, leading some airlines in Europe and Japan to pass SAF-related costs on to consumers.

Against this backdrop, a research team led by Dr. Yun-Jo Lee at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), in collaboration with EN2CORE Technology Co., Ltd., has successfully demonstrated an integrated process that converts landfill gas generated from organic waste—such as food waste—into aviation fuel.

Currently, the refining industry mainly produces SAF from used cooking oil. However, used cooking oil is limited in supply and is also used for other applications such as biodiesel, making it relatively expensive and difficult to secure in large quantities. In contrast, landfill gas generated from food waste and livestock manure is abundant and inexpensive. This study represents the first domestic demonstration of aviation fuel production using landfill gas as the primary feedstock.

Producing aviation fuel from landfill gas requires overcoming two major challenges: purifying the gas to obtain suitable intermediates and improving the efficiency of converting gaseous intermediates into liquid fuels. The research team addressed these challenges by developing an integrated process encompassing landfill gas pretreatment, syngas production, and catalytic conversion of syngas into liquid fuels.

EN2CORE Technology was responsible for the upstream processes. Landfill gas collected from waste disposal sites is desulfurized and treated using membrane-based separation to reduce excess carbon dioxide. The purified gas is then converted into synthesis gas—containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen—using a proprietary plasma reforming reactor, and subsequently supplied to KRICT.

KRICT applied the Fischer–Tropsch process to convert the gaseous syngas into liquid fuels. In this process, hydrogen and carbon react on a catalyst surface to form hydrocarbon chains. Hydrocarbons of appropriate chain length become liquid fuels, while longer chains form solid byproducts such as wax. By employing zeolite- and cobalt-based catalysts, KRICT significantly improved selectivity toward liquid fuels rather than solid byproducts.

A key innovation of this work is the application of a microchannel reactor. Excessive heat generation during aviation fuel synthesis can damage catalysts and reduce process stability. The microchannel reactor developed by the team features alternating layers of catalyst and coolant channels, enabling rapid heat removal and suppression of thermal runaway. Through integrated and modular design, the reactor volume was reduced by up to one-tenth compared to conventional systems. Production capacity can be expanded simply by adding modules.

For demonstration purposes, the team constructed an integrated pilot facility on a landfill site in Dalseong-gun, Daegu. The facility, approximately 100 square meters in size and comparable to a two-story detached house, successfully produced 100 kg of sustainable aviation fuel per day, achieving a liquid fuel selectivity exceeding 75 percent. The team is currently optimizing long-term operation conditions and further enhancing catalyst and reactor performance.

This achievement demonstrates the potential to convert everyday waste-derived gases from food waste and sewage sludge into high-value aviation fuel. Moreover, it shows that aviation fuel production—previously limited to large-scale centralized plants—can be realized at local landfills or small waste treatment facilities. The technology is therefore expected to contribute to the establishment of decentralized SAF production systems and strengthen the competitiveness of Korea’s SAF industry.

The research team noted that the work is significant in securing an integrated process technology that converts organic waste into high-value fuels. KRICT President Young-Kuk Lee stated that the technology has strong potential to become a representative solution capable of achieving both carbon neutrality and a circular economy.

The development of two catalysts enabling selective production of liquid fuels was published as an inside cover article in ACS Catalysis (November 2025) and in Fuel (January 2026).

Facility for Converting Landfill Gas into Syngas (CO and H₂) Suitable for SAF Production

Unlike conventional systems, the use of miniaturized and modular microchannel reactors enables facility deployment at a small scale.

Credit

Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology(KRICT)

###

KRICT is a non-profit research institute funded by the Korean government. Since its foundation in 1976, KRICT has played a leading role in advancing national chemical technologies in the fields of chemistry, material science, environmental science, and chemical engineering. Now, KRICT is moving forward to become a globally leading research institute tackling the most challenging issues in the field of Chemistry and Engineering and will continue to fulfill its role in developing chemical technologies that benefit the entire world and contribute to maintaining a healthy planet. More detailed information on KRICT can be found at https://www.krict.re.kr/eng/

This research was supported by “Development of integrated demonstration process for the production of bio naphtha/lubricant oil from organic waste-derived biogas” (Project No. RS-2022-NR068680) through the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), Republic of Korea.

---

Journal

ACS Catalysis

DOI

10.1021/acscatal.5c03696 

Article Title

Tailoring Zeolite-Supported Bifunctional Cobalt Catalysts for Direct Conversion of Syngas to Liquid Fuels

 

New review shows how biomass can deliver low-carbon gaseous fuels at scale

Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University

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Techno-economic and life-cycle assessments of biomass thermochemical conversion into gaseous fuels

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Credit: Muhammad Saddam Hussain, Meng Shi, Shiyu Zhang, Yeshui Zhang, Xuan Bie, Qinghai Li, Yanguo Zhang, Sebastian Lubjuhn, Sandra Venghaus, & Hui Zhou

A new comprehensive review highlights how converting biomass into gaseous fuels such as hydrogen, methane, and syngas could play a critical role in the global transition to low-carbon energy systems. By combining techno-economic analysis with life-cycle assessment, the study provides one of the clearest pictures to date of when and where biomass-based gaseous fuels can be both climate-friendly and economically viable.

The review, published in Energy & Environment Nexus, examines thermochemical conversion pathways that transform agricultural residues, forestry waste, and other non-food biomass into clean gaseous fuels. These fuels can be used for electricity generation, industrial heat, transportation, and as building blocks for chemicals and synthetic fuels.

“Biomass is unique among renewable energy sources because it can store carbon-based chemical energy,” said corresponding author Hui Zhou. “If designed properly, biomass conversion systems can not only replace fossil fuels but also achieve net negative greenhouse gas emissions when paired with carbon capture.”

The authors analyzed dozens of previous studies to identify the main factors shaping performance and cost. Feedstock type, moisture content, local supply chains, and technology maturity all strongly influence outcomes. High moisture biomass, common in tropical regions, can significantly increase energy use and operating costs, while locally sourced feedstocks can improve both economics and emissions performance.

A key contribution of the review is its integration of techno-economic analysis with life-cycle assessment. Techno-economic analysis evaluates capital costs, operating expenses, and market competitiveness, while life-cycle assessment measures environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions across the full production chain.

“Looking at cost or emissions alone can be misleading,” said co-corresponding author Sandra Venghaus. “Our review shows that some pathways that look expensive today may become highly competitive under carbon pricing or supportive policy frameworks, while others only deliver climate benefits under specific regional conditions.”

The analysis reveals that several biomass-to-gas pathways can outperform fossil fuels in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, especially when combined with carbon capture and storage. In some cases, these systems can remove more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than they emit over their life cycle. However, the authors caution that uncertainties in modeling assumptions and data quality remain a major challenge.

Technology readiness also varies widely. Some gasification and methanation systems are already operating at near-commercial scale, while others, such as supercritical water gasification, remain at early demonstration stages. Catalyst degradation, system integration, and high capital costs continue to limit large-scale deployment.

Beyond technical and economic factors, the review highlights social and environmental trade-offs. Expanding biomass supply chains can create rural jobs and support local economies, but may also intensify land-use pressures and fuel concerns about competition between food and energy production if not carefully managed.

The authors emphasize the importance of modular, locally adapted biorefineries that use regionally available residues rather than dedicated energy crops. They also call for stronger policy support, standardized assessment methods, and better integration of social considerations into energy planning.

“Biomass-based gaseous fuels are not a silver bullet,” Zhou said. “But with the right technology choices, sustainable feedstocks, and consistent policies, they can become a powerful part of a diversified, low-carbon energy portfolio.”

The review provides a roadmap for researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers seeking to scale biomass-derived gaseous fuels in ways that are both economically sound and environmentally responsible.

 

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Journal reference: Hussain MS, Shi M, Zhang S, Zhang Y, Bie X, et al. 2025. Techno-economic and life-cycle assessments of biomass thermochemical conversion into gaseous fuels. Energy & Environment Nexus 1: e014  

https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/een-0025-0015  

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About Energy & Environment Nexus:
Energy & Environment Nexus (e-ISSN 3070-0582) is an open-access journal publishing high-quality research on the interplay between energy systems and environmental sustainability, including renewable energy, carbon mitigation, and green technologies.

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DOI

10.48130/een-0025-0015 

Method of Research

Literature review

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Techno-economic and life-cycle assessments of biomass thermochemical conversion into gaseous fuels