The transformation of waste into sustainable aviation fuel in Australia is accelerating with the rise of total recovery facilities designed to deliver circular, zero-waste fuel solutions.

Australia generates 76 million tonnes of waste annually, with 20 million tonnes ending up in landfills. Despite increasing recycling efforts, landfill dependency remains high, and methane emissions from decomposing waste contribute significantly to climate change. With landfill space shrinking and waste export bans limiting international disposal, Australia must adopt circular economy solutions that convert waste into valuable resources.

One promising development is Total Recovery Facilities (TRFs), which transform municipal solid waste (MSW) into low-carbon fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable diesel, and biochar. This approach not only diverts waste from landfills but also aligns with Australia’s Net Zero by 2050 commitments.

What is a Total Recovery Facility?

A Total Recovery Facility (TRF) is an advanced waste processing plant that integrates multiple technologies to recover materials and convert waste into usable fuel. TRFs are designed to handle complex waste streams and maximise energy recovery through:

• Material Recovery Facility (MRF): Separates recyclable materials.
• Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) Processing: Converts non-recyclable waste into a high-energy feedstock.
• Pyrolysis & Gasification: Breaks down organic and carbon-containing waste at high temperatures to produce syngas, a key fuel precursor.
• Fischer-Tropsch (FT) Technology: Converts syngas into market-ready sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel.

TRF technology is already being implemented in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, and Australia is well-positioned to adopt similar innovations to address its waste and energy challenges.

The Road Ahead for Waste-to-Fuel in Australia

With landfill space dwindling and biofuels gaining traction, Total Recovery Facilities provide a sustainable pathway forward. By converting waste into low-carbon fuels, Australia can:

• Reduce landfill dependency
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions
• Develop a secure domestic biofuel supply
• Support the aviation industry’s transition to SAF

As global demand for biofuels surges, Australia has a prime opportunity to invest in SAF and renewable diesel production. BE&R sees a role in regional, smaller-scale, efficient TRFs, as opposed to the large-scale units suited to densely populated Europe and Asia, working to optimise the trade-off between the economy of plant scale vs the cost of road transportation of waste and enabling Australia to produce renewable fuel products in regions remote from ports, already paying elevated diesel prices, and to provide for more jobs in regional areas.

The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Opportunity in Australia

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced total funding of $33.5 million across five projects under the SAF Funding Initiative launched in 2023. This initiative aims to support the development of domestic SAF production, thereby accelerating the decarbonization of aviation. Additionally, ARENA has signaled further investments beyond the previously allocated $30 million, highlighting the growing commitment to scaling up Australia’s SAF industry.

• Future Made in Australia: The Albanese government is backing Australian steelmakers and manufacturers with a $500 million investment through the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund. This initiative aims to boost local manufacturing capabilities, including those involved in sustainable fuel production, ensuring Australia remains competitive in the global energy transition.
• ARENA’s Role: ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency) is investing in projects seeking to develop domestic sustainable aviation fuel production. These investments aim to accelerate innovation and scale up Australia’s capability in low-carbon liquid fuels.
• Economic Benefits: A local SAF industry could add nearly 18,000 jobs and significantly reduce Australia’s dependency on liquid fuel imports. Developing a domestic biofuel market would not only enhance energy security but also create employment opportunities across the entire value chain, from feedstock collection to fuel refinement and distribution.
• Other Initiatives: The Australian government has also allocated $18.5 million over four years to develop a certification scheme for low-carbon liquid fuels, including SAF. This certification framework will ensure compliance with international aviation standards, helping to position Australia as a leader in sustainable aviation fuel production.

Learn more:

• Viva Energy SAF Milestone
• Technip FEED for Jet Zero
• Plastic-to-Fuel in the Philippines
• SAF Scope 1-3 Credit Agreements

Fly Into the Future with Klean’s Feedstock for Total Recovery SAF Solutions

As Australia charts its course to net-zero aviation, Klean Industries offers turnkey total recovery facilities that convert waste into certified Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), unlocking circular fuel pathways and delivering carbon intensity reductions at scale.

Whether for government-backed infrastructure or private airline partnerships, our solutions:

• Enable local SAF production from plastic, biomass, and rubber waste
• Integrate pyrolysis, refining, and fuel certification
• Align with Australia’s carbon credit frameworks and aviation mandates

Connect with Klean to fuel a cleaner aviation industry with smarter recovery systems designed for a sustainable sky » GO.