This move highlights the country’s growing commitment to clean energy innovation and environmental responsibility while positioning China as a major player in the international green fuel market.

The decision comes as the aviation industry worldwide accelerates efforts to reduce carbon emissions and adopt eco-friendly alternatives.

According to trade sources and the Chinese commodities consultancy JLC, Shandong Haike Chemical, Shandong Sanju Bioenergy, and EcoCeres have all received export quotas ranging from 788,000 to 828,000 metric tons per year.

This expansion marks a milestone in China’s clean energy policy and reflects the government’s strategic efforts to promote renewable fuel exports.

The approvals are expected to strengthen trade ties with Europe, one of the world’s largest aviation fuel markets, and help global airlines meet their sustainability goals.

While Europe has yet to enforce a mandate on the mandatory use of sustainable aviation fuel, many European airlines are proactively seeking greener energy sources to meet emission targets and attract environmentally conscious travelers.

China’s move, therefore, comes at an ideal time — offering high-quality, affordable SAF to a growing global market. As the demand for eco-friendly jet fuel rises, China’s expanding network of biofuel refiners stands ready to meet this demand with large-scale production capabilities and advanced technology.

EcoCeres, which is backed by Bain Capital, has emerged as one of the most dynamic players in this sector. With export quotas between 260,000 and 300,000 tons, the company is well-positioned to scale operations and deliver SAF to global airlines and logistics firms.

Shandong Haike Chemical, allotted 370,000 tons, and Shandong Sanju Bioenergy, with 158,000 tons, are also preparing to enhance their export capacities.

Together, these companies form the backbone of China’s expanding biofuel ecosystem, one that aligns closely with the nation’s carbon neutrality goals for 2060.

The Ministry of Commerce, which oversees export quotas, has not commented publicly, but industry analysts view the move as a clear signal of China’s policy-driven support for green industries. By allowing multiple companies to participate in SAF exports, the government is fostering healthy competition, innovation, and investment in renewable energy technologies.

These steps are expected to not only increase China’s market share in global aviation fuels but also to stimulate domestic employment, infrastructure development, and research in sustainable energy.

With these new approvals, China’s total SAF export quota for 2025 now exceeds 1.2 million tons — including the first permits previously granted to Zhejiang Jiaao Enprotech, which exported its first SAF cargo earlier this year in May.

This number reflects an impressive scale-up in China’s biofuel production and export capacity in just a few months, underscoring the nation’s ability to adapt quickly to global sustainability trends.

Experts believe that China’s SAF expansion will also have positive ripple effects across Asia. Neighboring countries could benefit from knowledge transfer, supply chain collaboration, and greater regional cooperation on carbon reduction initiatives.

Furthermore, by exporting cleaner aviation fuel, China helps international airlines reduce their environmental impact — a crucial contribution toward achieving the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The decision also aligns with China’s broader vision of transforming its industrial base into a green powerhouse. As part of this transformation, investments in biofuel technologies have surged, with several new SAF plants under construction.

These facilities utilize waste oils, agricultural residues, and renewable feedstocks, making the process not only environmentally sustainable but also economically efficient.

Overall, this development demonstrates China’s evolving leadership in the global energy transition. By empowering more companies to export sustainable aviation fuel, China is setting a strong example for other nations to follow.

It shows how industrial growth, environmental responsibility, and global collaboration can coexist in harmony. With increasing demand from Europe and beyond, the country’s focus on cleaner energy solutions will play a crucial role in shaping the future of green aviation and global sustainability.

Global airlines champion sustainability but urge fair pricing, as IATA highlights the need for cooperation — not competition — in fueling aviation’s cleaner future.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is calling for balanced, transparent pricing in the aviation industry’s green transition, saying airlines are eager to embrace sustainability — but must not be penalized for doing so.

As Europe’s new green jet fuel mandates come into effect, IATA is encouraging regulators, energy suppliers, and airlines to work hand in hand to make cleaner skies achievable for all.

The European Union’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate, which took effect this year, requires airlines to blend at least 2% of their fuel with greener alternatives, with that target set to rise to 6% by 2030.

The goal is to reduce carbon emissions from the aviation sector — one of the hardest industries to decarbonize — by gradually replacing fossil-based jet fuel with sustainable sources such as biofuels or synthetic alternatives.

However, as the aviation industry works to meet these ambitious environmental targets, IATA has raised concerns over rising costs and market practices that could threaten the long-term affordability and scalability of SAF.

According to IATA Director General Willie Walsh, some fuel suppliers have taken advantage of the new mandates to increase prices through additional “compliance surcharges,” almost doubling the cost compared to standard market rates. “We fully support the environmental goals behind these policies,” Walsh emphasized in an interview with Reuters, “but fair pricing is essential. We cannot allow sustainability to become an excuse for overcharging.”

While Walsh did not single out any specific suppliers or airlines affected, he urged European regulators to examine the issue and ensure that cost transparency and competitive fairness remain central to the green transition. “Our industry is ready to invest and innovate,” he said. “But we need partnership, not penalties, to get there.”

Airlines Leading the Green Revolution

The aviation industry has been one of the most proactive in embracing global sustainability goals. Major airlines have announced long-term commitments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with SAF seen as a cornerstone of that mission.

Compared to traditional jet fuel, SAF can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80%, offering a powerful pathway toward cleaner air travel.

Still, the challenge lies in scaling production. At present, SAF costs roughly three to five times more than regular jet fuel, mainly due to limited supply and high production costs. Energy companies argue that they need greater investment and stable demand to expand SAF output, while airlines face mounting financial pressure as costs rise.

“Everyone agrees on the importance of sustainable fuel,” said an aviation analyst based in Paris. “The real question is how to make it affordable, accessible, and fairly distributed across the industry.”

The Need for Shared Responsibility

Walsh’s comments come at a time when cooperation between governments, fuel suppliers, and airlines has never been more crucial. IATA has urged policymakers to incentivize innovation and support large-scale SAF production through subsidies, tax relief, and infrastructure investment — much like the renewable energy sector benefited from during its early growth years.

The association’s message is clear: sustainability should be a collective journey, not a competitive battlefield. “We’re not against mandates,” Walsh noted, “but they should drive progress, not profit-taking at the expense of airlines and passengers.”

Several oil majors, including ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, and Shell, have already announced SAF expansion projects, though some have recently scaled back plans due to fluctuating demand and high input costs. Industry experts believe stronger public-private partnerships could bridge this gap, ensuring consistent fuel supply and fair pricing mechanisms.

Aviation’s Vision for 2025 and Beyond

Despite cost challenges, the global aviation sector remains optimistic. Airlines continue to invest in cleaner technologies — from next-generation aircraft to hydrogen-based propulsion research — alongside SAF development.

IATA’s latest report also highlights that the industry is expected to spend nearly $11 billion in 2025 on addressing congestion and supply chain challenges, reflecting its determination to maintain operational stability while advancing sustainability goals.

As Walsh aptly put it, “The skies belong to all of us — and so does the responsibility to protect them. We must build a system that rewards commitment, innovation, and environmental progress, not exploitation.”

With global travel rebounding and climate awareness at an all-time high, the coming decade could define the future of flight. For IATA and its member airlines, the mission remains clear: make aviation greener, fairer, and more resilient — together.