Kuala lumpur: Malaysia has been identified as one of the world’s critical hotspots for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feedstock, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Together with Indonesia, China, and other ASEAN countries, the region could supply about 240 million tonnes of biomass feedstock by 2050, accounting for 15 percent of the global total.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this potential is supported by existing biofuel industries in these countries, positioning Malaysia and its neighbors as key contributors to the aviation sector’s decarbonization efforts. In partnership with Worley Consulting, IATA published a study indicating that there are sufficient sustainable feedstocks to meet the industry’s needs.

The Middle East, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa are projected to provide a further 220 million tonnes, or 14 percent of global feedstock, largely from waste and residue sources. However, IATA stated that the main challenge to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is not feedstock availability but the slow pace of SAF technology rollout.

IATA Director-General Willie Walsh emphasized that feedstock availability is not the obstacle; the challenge lies in scaling up technology, infrastructure, and investment to unlock production at the required pace. The report also highlighted that airlines will need 500 million tonnes of SAF annually by 2050 to achieve net-zero emissions, with biomass contributing more than 300 million tonnes and power-to-liquid filling the gap.

IATA senior vice-president for sustainability and chief economist Marie Owens Thomsen highlighted the need for governments, energy producers, investors, and the aviation sector to collaborate to de-risk investment and accelerate rollout. “Policy certainty and cross-sector collaboration are essential to unlock the scale we need. The time to act is now, and delays will only make the challenge harder,” she said.