Yasa Aegean Sea completes SAF loading at Jiaxing Port on July 18. [Photo provided to Tide News]

A shipment of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) cleared customs at Jiaxing Port in East China's Zhejiang province and departed for Europe on July 18, marking the province's first export of the renewable fuel.

Produced by Blue Whale Bioenergy (Zhejiang) using waste cooking oil, the fuel marks a new step in the province's efforts to expand exports of green energy products.

Blue Whale Bioenergy (Zhejiang) is one of China's largest producers of biodiesel and SAF, with an annual production capacity of 350,000 metric tons. Its 500,000-ton industrial biofuel project is a national demonstration project for low-carbon technology, designed to process 500,000 tons of waste oil each year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1 million tons annually.

According to the company, 1 ton of SAF can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 3 tons compared with conventional jet fuel, cutting lifecycle emissions by more than 80 percent. Although SAF costs two to three times more than conventional aviation fuel, demand has been rising as airlines seek to meet decarbonization targets.

The company has signed strategic supply agreements with leading European customers and expects annual green energy exports to exceed 3 billion yuan (about $443 million).