Egypt signs agreement with US Honeywell for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production

The Egyptian Petrochemical Holding Company (ECHEM), through the Egyptian Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production Company, has signed a licensing agreement with the global US tech group Honeywell to locally produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), Al Borsa reported on December 5.

Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, said that the project is the first of its kind in Egypt. The planned facility in Alexandria will convert used cooking oil into SAF, with an annual production capacity of 120,000 tonnes. This will help reduce approximately 400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

"This project supports the country’s green energy transition and contributes to reducing emissions from the aviation sector through the production of environmentally sustainable aviation fuel," said Badawi. 

Badawi explained that the sustainable aviation fuel project is a priority economic initiative, expected to bring significant environmental and economic benefits.

For his part, Khaled Hashem, Honeywell's Executive Director for the Middle East and Africa, said the collaboration reflects mutual trust and a shared commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies that support the transition to low-carbon fuels. He added that the partnership would strengthen Egypt’s capabilities to produce SAF in line with the highest international standards.

Honeywell, based in Illinois, is one of the global pioneers in SAF production technology, particularly using used oils like cooking oil. The company has operations in aerospace technologies, building automation, industrial automation and energy and sustainability solutions. This licensing agreement with ECHEM is expected to play a key role in advancing Egypt’s sustainable aviation fuel production capacity.