S-OIL Accelerates K-Bio Aviation Fuel Business Based on Microbial Raw Materials

S-OIL, Youil Biotech, and Korea University Sign MOU for Joint R&D on Bio Aviation Fuel

Production of Bio-Materials Using Microalgae Euglena and Industry-Academia Cooperation to Replace Crude Oil

S-OIL (CEO: Anwar Al-Hejazi) has signed a memorandum of understanding for the "Euglena-based Bio Aviation Fuel Research and Development" with Yuil Biotech, a startup possessing microbial production technology, and Korea University (President: Kim Dongwon), one of the top research universities in Korea, aiming to realize "K-SAF (Korean Sustainable Aviation Fuel)" throughout the entire bio-aviation fuel production process.

S-OIL, Uil Biotech, and Korea University Signed a Business Agreement for 'Euglena-Based Biojet Fuel Research and Development'.

The tripartite industry-academia collaboration, held on the 19th at the S-OIL Technology Development (TS&D) Center in Magok Industrial Complex, Seoul, aims to reduce the domestic bio-aviation fuel industry's dependence on overseas sources and secure independent production capabilities by actively sharing achievements at every stage from raw materials to final products.

Through joint development with Yuil Biotech and Korea University, S-OIL expects that utilizing lipids extracted from the microalga Euglena as process feedstock will enable the production of sustainable aviation fuel at a high conversion rate, making a significant contribution to decarbonizing the aviation sector.

Furthermore, based on the results of this joint development, the companies plan to pursue government-supported projects to accelerate and scale up research and development efforts.

Euglena, the core material of this joint industry-academia research and development, is a bio-material containing 59 types of nutrients and is also used in food and pharmaceutical applications. With a high lipid productivity of 20-40% by dry weight and over 90% suitability of its lipids for bio-aviation fuel, it is attracting attention as an excellent raw material for bio-aviation fuel.

Yuil Biotech is a technology-based startup established in 2022 as a joint venture with Korea University. By combining innovative microbial production methods and Euglena strain technology, the company has developed production capabilities that allow for mass production of Euglena through photosynthesis, and is currently operating a pilot plant in central Seoul.

Recently, Yuil Biotech succeeded in converting Euglena lipids into kerosene, the stage just before bio-aviation fuel, and announced research results that bring the commercialization of domestically produced microalgae-based bio-aviation fuel closer than ever, leading the field.

In particular, by leveraging Euglena extraction and purification technology, the company has secured profitability through high-value immune-activating substance paramylon, and by utilizing the lipids produced as byproducts in biofuel production, has overcome cost limitations and created commercially viable microbial raw materials, drawing strong interest from the industry.

S-OIL expects that, through joint development with Yuil Biotech, using Euglena-extracted lipids as process feedstock will enable high conversion rates for SAF production, greatly contributing to decarbonization in aviation. Based on the results of joint development, they also plan to pursue government-supported projects to further accelerate and expand research efforts.

An S-OIL representative stated, "With this memorandum of understanding, we plan to continue joint research and development with Yuil Biotech on sustainable aviation fuel production, property analysis, and performance testing," adding, "S-OIL will further strive to promote the supply of biofuels and resource-circulation products that contribute to building a resource-circulation structure in response to the global decarbonization trend."

Choi Yooni, Professor at the Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering at Korea University, said, "Euglena is a microalga capable of reducing carbon dioxide even under high concentrations of CO2, and as a bio-material, it is expected to make a significant contribution to carbon neutrality and greatly benefit related industries in the future."

Cho Changho, CEO of Yuil Biotech, commented, "This bio-aviation fuel R&D MOU with S-OIL and Korea University is expected to accelerate the Euglena bio-aviation fuel business, in connection with previously signed demonstration collaborations with domestic airlines," adding, "We plan to establish a more systematic mass production process by referencing the large-scale plant facilities and operational know-how possessed by S-OIL."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.