Demonstrating leadership in China's bio-jet fuel engineering sector, East China Design Institute continues to lead the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) race, backed by comprehensive technological capabilities and forward-looking industrial planning. In the first quarter of 2026, the institute has not only solidified its position with an operational "export benchmark" project but has also secured new contracts, including the first sustainable aviation fuel production unit for the China National Petroleum Corporation group. This demonstrates robust capability in establishing benchmark projects upon completion and leading the industry upon contract award, achieving a strong start to the year for green development and setting the definitive standard for leadership within China's bio-jet fuel industry.
The institute has established a benchmark with its EPCM project achieving a breakthrough in international exports, gaining Asian leadership recognition. On November 21, 2024, the first phase of the Lianyungang Jia'ao New Energy project, a 500,000-tonne-per-year bio-jet fuel hydrotreating unit, successfully commenced operations in a single attempt. All product indicators met design requirements, with the unit running stably and controllably. This project is not only the institute's first operational SAF production facility but also the largest full-plant SAF project in China utilizing the Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway. The core unit employs UOP Ecofining™ technology and a high-selectivity catalyst system, using waste animal and vegetable oils as feedstock to maximize SAF yield while co-producing renewable diesel.
This project has set multiple national records through excellent engineering execution. In 2025, it passed a multi-ministerial review, becoming the first project in China eligible to apply for a bio-jet fuel export license, receiving an annual export quota of 372,400 tonnes at full capacity, thereby pioneering Chinese bio-jet fuel exports. It was selected for a national green technology demonstration program, received central government investment for energy conservation, and was recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization for its advanced technological maturity and production scale in Asia. This export milestone signifies the institute's mastery of the entire bio-jet fuel value chain, from technology and engineering to industrial-scale export, providing a replicable Chinese solution for global aviation emissions reduction.
The institute continues to scale new heights, securing a landmark contract for the group's first bio-jet fuel unit, thereby leading a new phase of industrial development. Building on this momentum, the institute achieved another milestone in the first quarter of 2026 by winning the EPC contract for the North China Petrochemical 100,000-tonne-per-year SAF project. As the first SAF production unit within the CNPC system, this contract represents the highest market recognition of the institute's technological leadership and engineering prowess, officially inaugurating a new stage for the group's green aviation fuel industry. A dedicated project team has been assembled to leverage full-chain EPC advantages, advancing construction with high standards and efficiency to establish a demonstration benchmark for green, low-carbon development within the group and nationwide, solidly supporting the green journey of "Chinese innovation."
The institute is leading the industry by building a national portfolio of bio-jet fuel projects that cover the entire project lifecycle. From the operational "Asian-leading" project to the newly awarded "group-first" benchmark, the institute is creating a nationwide matrix of bio-jet fuel initiatives, demonstrating absolute industry leadership. Beyond the North China Petrochemical project, East China Design Institute secured multiple additional SAF project contracts in the first quarter of 2026 in regions including Xinjiang, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, continuously consolidating its leading position. These projects encompass the entire bio-jet fuel industry lifecycle, from feasibility studies and core unit construction to supporting engineering, fully reflecting the market's high trust in the institute's technical strength, engineering experience, and comprehensive service capabilities in the green energy sector.
Sustainable aviation fuel is a critical pathway for achieving carbon goals and facilitating the green transition of the aviation industry, with significant market potential. As a pioneer and leader in China's bio-jet fuel field, the institute remains at the forefront of technological innovation and industrial practice. Progressing from individual project breakthroughs to comprehensive industrial chain development, the institute is consistently guiding China's bio-jet fuel industry toward规模化, standardization, and internationalization through a series of landmark achievements. Moving forward, East China Design Institute will continue to harness technological innovation and engineering strength, deepening its focus on green petrochemicals and accelerating its bio-jet fuel industry布局 to contribute substantial momentum toward the global aviation industry's green transition.