Argonne National Laboratory researchers develop cheaper SAF from wastewater

In Illinois, scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have developed a groundbreaking technology that converts organic wastewater into cost-competitive sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70%. Using methane arrested anaerobic digestion, this process transforms waste from sources like breweries and dairy farms into volatile fatty acids, which can be upgraded to SAF. The innovation supports DOE’s goal of scaling SAF production to meet 100% of commercial jet fuel demand by 2050, offering a promising path to decarbonizing aviation.