This report assesses SAF production pathways in terms of their technical, economic, and carbon intensity aspects, in line with increasing pressure to decarbonize—along with a key focus on fuel blends that will allow surpassing the existing blendwalls (a potential barrier to net zero ambitions). Key technologies covered at the cost of production level include integration of key pathways for producing paraffins, isoparaffins, and aromatic blendstocks, and blending into a finished product that does not require blending with a fossil fuel. These routes include HVO, ETJ, MTJ, FT, MTA, ETA, as well as traditional refining units with renewable feeds such as isomerization, alkylation, FCC, etc.

Traditionally hydrogen is generated from fossil feedstock and processes that emit significant amounts of CO2. Green and other colors of hydrogen hold significant potential and interest for decarbonization of sectors that have previously been difficult to decarbonize. This includes both existing applications (e.g., refining, feedstock for chemicals) as well as emerging applications (e.g., e-methanol, e-ammonia, e-SAF), as well as potential in direct use for carbon emission free combustion. Growing interest in low carbon intensity hydrogen has stemmed from mounting net zero pledges and decarbonization goals, and an increasing focus on the energy transition. Production options explored several global regions (US, China, Brazil, and Western Europe) and technologies covering thermochemical (biomass gasification), bio-methane reforming, carbon capture, electrolysis, and other advanced pathways from a technical, economic (cost of production model), and carbon intensity level—including breakeven values for emission reductions under carbon taxation scenarios.

This report compares the various options for lowering carbon intensity of ethylene production via technoeconomic, carbon intensity, and strategic analysis. Regional cost and carbon intensity baselines, comparative carbon intensities (including breakdown and analysis by Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions) of decarbonization configurations, cost of productions, and impacts of carbon tax/credits on competitiveness (including break-even values) are analyzed across four regions: US, Brazil, China, and Western Europe. Additional regions/countries are available as an add-on.

This report examines the technical, economic and business aspects of thermolysis (i.e., pyrolysis and gasification) of mixed plastics waste. Analyses of the mixed plastics waste and the thermolysis plant location are included in the report. Selected developers of pyrolysis and gasification technologies are profiled and ranked under different criteria. The economic analysis of thermolysis technologies (involving the production of syn-naphtha and methanol) and olefins production (i.e., ethylene and byproduct propylene) are provided for different geographic regions. In addition, the report includes an analysis of the regional competitiveness and profitability in the USGC, WE, and China of olefins production compared with various oil price scenarios. Strategic and business considerations are also included in the report.