Lukoil is discussing the possibility of producing environmentally friendly aviation fuel SAF

The company "Lukoil" is considering the possibility of production in the coming years of the ecological aviation fuel SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) at its plant (Lukoil Neftohim Burgas) in Bulgaria, for which laboratory tests have already been carried out and a production scheme has been drawn up.

The product is planned to be certified under the International System of Certification (ISC), the company said in its sustainability report.

In 2023, the company began preparations for the entry into force of the rules of the International Civil Aviation System (ICAS) for the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) mechanism. Currently, the company is working on both short-term solutions (certification of a methodology for assessing the carbon footprint throughout the life cycle of aviation fuel produced by the Lukoil Group, LCAF) and long-term solutions (production of aviation fuel based on biocomponents, SAF).

According to the report, last year Lukoil increased aviation fuel sales by 7% to 3 million tons.

ISCC (International Scheme for Sustainability and Carbon Certification) is an international product certification system for compliance with traceability requirements for sustainable materials. The certificate confirms that the product is a second-generation biofuel.

In the shipping sector, based on the rules of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Lukoil continues to produce and sell low-sulphur fuel with a sulfur content of no more than 0.5%. From 2024, the CO2 emissions trading system is extended to maritime transport via EU ports; from 2025 the restrictions will be extended. "However, the decarbonisation of shipping remains a challenge, despite some achievements by companies in the industry," the company notes.