The Thai government partners with six companies to strengthen the sustainable aviation fuel supply chain. (Photo: Central Group)
To speed up the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the Thai government, through the Ministry of Industry (MOI), is partnering with six major local companies and their affiliates to establish a waste cooking oil-based SAF feedstock supply chain. This collaboration aims to help decarbonize Thailand’s aviation sector and support the country’s renewable energy goals.
Thailand targets feedstock supply to boost SAF growth
Thailand’s Department of Industrial Promotion (DIPROM) held a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing event with industry players on March 31.
Many of these companies generate significant amounts of waste cooking oil as a byproduct of their operations, providing a cost-effective and readily available feedstock for SAF production. High SAF prices are partly due to limited supply, and waste cooking oil is seen as one of the most viable raw materials to help lower costs.
The six companies partnering with the Thai government in this initiative are Central Group, Thai Beverage, Charoen Pokphand Foods, Thai President Foods, the Thai Food Processors Association, and Bangchak Corporation.
Minister of Industry Akanat Promphan stated that discussions with Bangchak Corporation on potential cooperation have already begun. The plan is to use collected waste cooking oil to produce SAF while promoting the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model. This approach enhances waste value, reduces industrial carbon emissions, and supports climate change mitigation efforts.
Read more: Taiwan’s SAF journey begins—but can waste oil meet growing demand?
The development of SAF is considered a key strategy for the transformation of the petrochemical industry. (Photo: Stock)
Bangchak CEO urges feedstock expansion and clear regulations
Beyond setting up a waste cooking oil supply system, the initiative also seeks to raise public awareness and participation through campaigns, education and network-building, steering the economy toward a low-carbon, sustainable future.
Bangchak CEO Chaiwat Kovavisarach proposed two key recommendations to the government: expanding the variety of SAF feedstocks and establishing clear regulations on SAF blending mandates along with investment incentives. He believes these measures will boost investor confidence, attract long-term investments, and strengthen Thailand’s position as a regional leader in clean aviation fuel.
Read more: Thailand’s PTT GC, Bangchak set to launch SAF in 2025
As one of Thailand’s SAF pioneers, Bangchak is set to launch production at its Bangkok facility in Q2 2025, with an estimated daily output of 1 million liters. Confirmed customers include Shell Eastern Trading in Singapore and Japan’s Cosmo Oil.
Source: Bangchak, Bangkok Post(1), (2)
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