KUCHING, May 22, 2023 – The state of Sarawak has taken a significant stride towards its sustainability objectives for a greener Sarawak.

Today, in the esteemed presence of The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Chief Minister of Sarawak, a momentous milestone was reached with the introduction of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) derived from algae feedstock cultivated at the joint Petronas – SEDC Energy algae farm situated in Kuching, Sarawak.

This advancement in SAF technology in Malaysia aligns with the National Aerospace Blueprint 2030 and the 12th Malaysia Plan, where AMIC, in collaboration with NAICO (an agency under MITI), is spearheading efforts to enable the utilization and production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Malaysia.

The Airbus A220-300 flight, operated by airBaltic, which transported the Chief Minister and his delegation to the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2023, also marked the inaugural SAF flight from Sarawak with the support of AMIC.

The Chief Minister envisions ushering in the era of “Sustainable Skies of Sarawak,” as exemplified by the tripartite signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd (SEDCE), Petronas Research Sdn Bhd (PETRONAS), and Aerospace Malaysia Innovation Centre (AMIC).

This collaboration aims to undertake research, development, and promotion of SAF usage to ensure compatibility with future products from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as Airbus.

This forward-thinking consortium actively contributes to the overall advancement of SAF in Malaysia, with a particular focus on exploring sustainable, non-food competing 3rd generation feedstock, such as micro-algae, which offers an attractive and sustainable source for SAF production.

Sustainably farmed algae in Sarawak and the resulting SAF are currently undergoing testing and development to meet international standards such as ASTM D7566, with the goal of one day powering flights worldwide.

This pioneering initiative showcases Sarawak’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability in the aviation industry.

By embracing micro-algae as a viable feedstock, the consortium aims to establish a more sustainable and environmentally friendly supply chain for SAF, leading to a more resilient aviation sector. AMIC and SEDC Energy are also actively collaborating with MIDA to promote and develop investments in the SAF ecosystem.

As part of its participation in LIMA 2023, Airbus demonstrated its commitment to sustainable aviation by operating an A220 aircraft. The aircraft’s journey marked another environmental milestone as it refueled with SAF in Kuching, Sarawak.

The significance of SAF aligns with the recent commitments made by the global aviation industry to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

SAF presents an alternative solution for reducing overall carbon emissions compared to traditional jet fuel, and it can be derived naturally from various sustainable resources, including forestry and agricultural wastes, used cooking oils, air-captured carbon, and green hydrogen.

SAFs are regarded as a crucial component in achieving this target, as they have the potential to reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint by up to 80%.

This MOU serves as a platform for advancing towards a more sustainable aviation industry that benefits both the environment and society as a whole.