On February 5, 2026, Australia was awarded $400,000AUD to Adelaide University to launch an Australia-China sustainable aviation fuel initiative. The sustainable aviation fuel research project strengthens Australia China SAF collaboration, supporting Sustainable aviation fuel development and aviation decarbonisation.
Two-year project to strengthen SAF collaboration
The ACCSA project will run from 2026 to 2028, and will bring together SAF researchers, fuel producers, investors, airlines and government stakeholders from Australia and China. This Australia China SAF initiative aims to attract new investment and build long-term industry partnerships.
Conferences and workshops in Beijing, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hong Kong and Sydney will bring industry leaders together to work on aviation decarbonisation and the growth of Sustainable aviation fuel.
A student exchange and competition will involve participants from 5 to 10 universities across Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, helping train the next generation of experts involved in the SAF research project. The programme will also create a long-term SAF network linking airlines and fuel producers to support future supply chains.
Research to accelerate SAF readiness
A big part of the Australia China SAF collaboration is helping the industry get ready to use SAF at scale.
Researchers will explore ways to turn feedstocks into jet fuel, including catalytic fast pyrolysis and hydro-processing. The sustainable aviation fuel research project will also study feedstocks that are widely available in both countries, such as agricultural waste and used cooking oil used in HEFA-based SAF production.
Another focus is certification and policy alignment, helping ensure fuels produced in one country can be used across global aviation supply chains, an important step for aviation decarbonisation.
The programme will also explore how Industry 4.0 technologies, including artificial intelligence and blockchain, can improve supply chain transparency and track lifecycle emissions, supporting the rollout of Australia China sustainable aviation fuel production.
Carrying on earlier SAF cooperation
This new funding builds on a previous A$230,000 grant (2024–2026) awarded to the University of South Australia, which started early SAF engagement across major cities and helped lay the foundations for deeper Australia China SAF collaboration.
The initiative also supports Australia’s Future Made in Australia strategy, which includes a A$1.7 billion investment in renewable fuels to help aviation reach net-zero emissions by 2050. As airlines continue looking for practical solutions, international partnerships focused on SAF are becoming more important.
Follow Travel Radar for more news on Sustainable Aviation Fuel and aviation decarbonisation as the industry moves toward net-zero flying.
