Korean Air develops sustainable aviation fuel supply with Samsung E&A

Korean Air has joined forces with Samsung E&A to create a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and supply chain in the United States, reinforcing their commitment to clean aviation energy.

The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Seoul on 20 November 2025.

Under the agreement, the companies will identify and evaluate overseas SAF production projects, explore long-term offtake opportunities, invest in SAF technologies, and collaborate through Samsung E&A’s SAF Technology Alliance. The initiative leverages Samsung E&A’s engineering, procurement, and construction capabilities alongside Korean Air’s role as a committed offtaker.

The United States was chosen as the initial focus due to its abundant feedstock, advanced technology, and robust infrastructure. Samsung E&A is reviewing participation in a U.S.-based project that uses gasification–Fischer-Tropsch (FT) technology to convert woody waste into synthetic liquid fuel. This approach enables production from non-edible biomass, including wood residues, while delivering greater carbon-reduction benefits than first-generation SAF derived from limited feedstocks such as used cooking oil.

Korean Air will provide long-term purchase guarantees, stabilising the emerging SAF supply chain and supporting project financing. Similar strategies have been adopted by global carriers including Delta, Air France, United Airlines, and American Airlines to expand SAF production capacity and supply reliability.

The partnership also aligns with South Korea’s national ABCDEF strategy, covering AI, Bio, Culture, Defense, Energy, and Factory industries.

Korean Air emphasised that the SAF partnership will help achieve the aviation industry’s Net Zero 2050 target and improve compliance with evolving international SAF mandates. Through coordinated project participation, the collaboration aims to accelerate SAF adoption while advancing sustainable aviation and ESG management practices.

Discover the full analysis on Korean Air and Samsung E&A’s SAF strategy in the complete report.