This week on The SAF Podcast we turn both eyes and ears to Asia with the three founders of the Asian SAF Association, Fabrice Espinosa, Gabriel Ho and Dietmar Posselt. Covering 48 vastly differing countries from the Middle East across to APAC, ASAFA aim is to promote production levels to decarbonise the regions growing aviation footprint.

Rather than waiting for perfect policy frameworks, Asian countries are taking practical steps forward, setting achievable targets that create immediate momentum. This cultural pragmatism, coupled with abundant feedstock resources and growing refining capacity, positions Asia to potentially leapfrog other regions in sustainable aviation development.

The conversation explores the unique challenges of Asia's diverse landscape - from feedstock traceability issues to financing innovative technologies. While mature HEFA processes using waste oils are gaining substantial investment, newer pathways utilizing regional resources like cassava-based ethanol and agricultural waste require additional support. The founders detail how they're working to mobilize capital through partnerships with development banks and create harmonized standards that could eventually unify the region's approach.

Southeast Asia emerges as a particular hotspot, with Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam all developing significant production capacity that could contribute over 2 million tons of SAF within 5-8 years. Meanwhile, India's renewed focus on biofuels and ethanol production signals another major growth area. These developments are supported by a wave of national policies, with Singapore, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Korea all set to announce SAF targets or mandates.

Anyone involved in SAF globally has one eye on Asia, so check out the full discussion to find out in detail the updates and trends across the region. 

SAF Investor New York is in two weeks on the 23rd September, it is still not too late to join us, so don't miss out and book your place here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0mv63z0