The Origins of ASAFA: Building Asia's SAF Ecosystem
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is crucial for the future of aviation, offering a pathway to reduce the industry's environmental impact. While global efforts to develop and commercialize SAF have gained momentum, Asia, with its diverse markets and rapidly growing aviation sector, required a tailored approach. This need for a focused, region-specific solution led to the creation of the Asia Sustainable Aviation Fuel Association (ASAFA).
Why Asia Needed Its Own SAF Association
Asia's aviation industry presents unique challenges. Each country in the region operates within distinct regulatory frameworks and infrastructure landscapes, making it difficult to address SAF adoption through a one-size-fits-all approach. While SAF initiatives have been making strides in other parts of the world, Asia required a dedicated organization to connect stakeholders across its fragmented market.
The vision behind ASAFA was to bring together all key players in the SAF value chain—feedstock providers, technology licensors, fuel aggregators, airlines, and more—under one unified platform. This collaborative approach would allow the region to harness the potential of SAF more effectively and drive sustainable growth.
Founding ASAFA: A Vision of Collaboration
ASAFA was established with the goal of fostering collaboration. Rather than focusing solely on large corporations, the association set out to create an inclusive environment where businesses of all sizes could contribute to the SAF ecosystem. This inclusivity ensures that innovative solutions from smaller players can find their place alongside established industry leaders.
The association's primary mission is to accelerate the development, production, and consumption of SAF across Asia. By acting as a bridge between stakeholders and advocating for greater policy support, ASAFA aims to build a resilient and competitive SAF landscape that meets the needs of diverse markets within the region.
Our 5 Targets
ASAFA's efforts are focused on five key targets to drive the growth of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Asia:
Promote and achieve 5% average SAF usage across Asia
Achieve a total production of 8 million tons of SAF in Asia
Advance all technological pathways for SAF production
Establish an Asian SAF ASTM clearing house for new technologies
Harmonize international, regional, and national systems for emissions tracking and SAF usage
Driving Sustainable Aviation in Asia
From the outset, ASAFA recognized the importance of aligning with both regional and global sustainability goals. The association works closely with governments, industry players, and investors to ensure that SAF development is backed by a supportive regulatory framework and financial incentives. In doing so, ASAFA aims to make SAF commercially viable and scalable in the long term.
The organization is also focused on addressing key industry concerns such as infrastructure development, consumer engagement, and ensuring that the supply chain for SAF is both reliable and sustainable. By facilitating collaboration and dialogue, ASAFA creates opportunities for cross-sector partnerships that are vital for the growth of SAF in Asia.
Looking Ahead
ASAFA’s ongoing efforts continue to shape the SAF conversation in the region. The association is committed to providing platforms for knowledge exchange, fostering innovation, and advocating for policy changes that will support the widespread adoption of SAF. Through these efforts, ASAFA is poised to play a pivotal role in Asia’s aviation future, ensuring that the region not only keeps pace with global developments but also leads the way in sustainable aviation.