South African sugar industry relying on SAF study to support sugar industry

In South Africa, the Independent newspaper reports the more difficult but promising prospect of the Sugar Cane Value Chain Masterplan that is half way through implementation lies in alternative cane products, especially the production of sustainable aviation fuels. A study commissioned by SA Canegrowers, in partnership with the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), found that by diverting 50 percent of the cane produced by growers each year towards ethanol production, South Africa could produce approximately 700 million liters of low-carbon ethanol annually, producing 433 million liters of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the aviation industry.

The announcement of these findings generated significant public interest, but we now need to move towards concrete plans and action.