Techno-Economic Synergies of BECCU for SAF

June 29, 2026

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by Solomon Tekle Rikitu* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The aviation industry is under strong pressure to cut greenhouse gas emissions while still relying on fuels that have very high energy density and which are difficult to replace. Hence, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is currently one of the most practical pathways for decarbonizing aviation. However, its large-scale deployment is limited by two main challenges: high production costs and constrained availability of sustainable feedstocks (Hasan et al., 2024)

Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Utilization (BECCU) provides a more integrated approach. It combines biomass conversion with carbon capture and the reuse of captured CO2 to produce fuels and chemicals. In this way, carbon is recycled within the system rather than released to the atmosphere, creating a circular carbon loop. This integration has the potential to reduce lifecycle emissions while also improving overall process efficiency and economic feasibility (Koytsoumpa, et al., 2018).

Concept and System Integration

BECCU integrates biomass conversion with carbon capture and utilization to enhance carbon efficiency in energy systems. Biomass feedstocks such as agricultural residues, forestry waste, and dedicated energy crops are converted into bioenergy carriers through processes like gasification, fermentation, or pyrolysis. During these conversions, biogenic CO2 is released; however, instead of being emitted to the atmosphere, it is captured and redirected for further use (Babin et al., 2019).

The captured CO₂ can then be combined with green hydrogen produced via water electrolysis powered by renewable electricity. This coupling enables the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through Power-to-Liquid (PtL). Overall, BECCU increases carbon utilization efficiency by transforming waste carbon streams into value-added fuels while supporting circular and low-carbon energy systems (Vaquerizo, L., 2026).

System Flow

Biomass → Bioenergy Production →CO₂ Capture → CO₂ + Green H₂ → SAF

This approach transforms carbon emissions from a waste stream into a valuable feedstock for fuel production.

Techno-Economic Synergies

A key advantage of BECCU lies in its ability to integrate multiple process steps within a shared infrastructure system. Biomass conversion units, carbon capture technologies, and fuel synthesis facilities can operate within a common industrial setup, allowing them to share utilities, heat integration networks, and process equipment. This integrated design reduces both capital investment and operational costs by improving overall system efficiency (Joyo et al., 2025).

In this framework, captured biogenic CO2 is treated as a valuable feedstock rather than a waste stream. When combined with renewable hydrogen, it can be converted into low- or even net-negative carbon aviation fuels. This synergistic integration improves process efficiency, enhances carbon utilization rates, and increases overall plant capacity utilization compared with isolated or standalone production systems (Rosales et al., 2024).

Key techno-economic benefits include:

Shared gasification and utility infrastructure
Increased carbon conversion efficiency
Higher resource utilization rates
Additional revenue from captured CO₂ utilization
Reduced dependence on fossil carbon feedstocks and etc

Economic Performance

The economic viability of SAF remains one of the largest barriers to commercialization. BECCU can improve project economics through multiple revenue streams (Joyo, et al., 2025).

First, bioenergy co-products such as electricity, heat, or biochar can generate additional income and offset SAF production costs.

Second, captured carbon can qualify for carbon credits and emissions reduction incentives under emerging carbon markets.

Third, government policies supporting SAF deployment can further improve profitability. A recent study indicates that integrated biofuel-carbon capture systems can achieve lower net production costs compared with conventional SAF pathways when carbon pricing and policy incentives are considered (Brandt, et al., 2022).

Economic Drivers

Co-product energy revenues
Carbon credits and emissions trading
SAF production incentives
Improved asset utilization
Enhanced investment attractiveness

Environmental and Market Benefits

BECCU provides significant environmental benefits by capturing and reusing biogenic carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere (Schildhauer et al., 2025). Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies indicate that SAF produced through BECCU can achieve very low, and in some cases net-negative, greenhouse gas emissions depending on factors such as biomass feedstock, electricity source, and carbon capture performance (Fuss et al., 2018).

These benefits align closely with global aviation decarbonization goals, including the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). By converting biogenic CO2 into low-carbon fuels, BECCU offers a promising pathway for reducing emissions in aviation, one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize, while supporting long-term net-zero targets.

Key environmental and market benefits include:

Net-negative or ultra-low lifecycle emissions
Reduced dependence on fossil jet fuel
Alignment with global aviation climate targets
Support for circular carbon economy principles
Scalable deployment potential for hard-to-abate sectors

Future Outlook

Future commercialization of BECCU-based SAF will depend on continued improvements in carbon capture technologies, renewable hydrogen production, and biomass supply chain management (IEA, 2024). Declining renewable electricity costs and expanding carbon markets are expected to improve competitiveness over the next decade. As governments strengthen SAF mandates and carbon reduction policies, BECCU may become an increasingly attractive pathway for achieving both environmental and economic objectives within the aviation sector.

Key the points for the future

BECCU integrates biomass conversion, carbon capture, and fuel synthesis into a circular carbon system.
Captured biogenic CO₂ can be combined with green hydrogen to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
Shared infrastructure and multiple revenue streams improve techno-economic performance.
Carbon credits and policy incentives can significantly enhance profitability.
BECCU-based SAF can achieve net-negative or ultra-low lifecycle emissions.
The technology offers a scalable pathway for decarbonizing the hard-to-abate aviation sector.

References

Babin, A., Vaneeckhaute, C., & Iliuta, M. C. (2019). Potential and challenges of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage as a carbon-negative energy source: A review. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0961953421000052

Brandt, K., Camenzind, D., Zhu, J., Latta, G., Gao, J., & Wolcott, M., 2022. Methodology for quantifying the impact of repurposing existing manufacturing facilities: Case study using pulp and paper facilities for sustainable aviation fuel production. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, 16(5), 1227–1239. https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.2369

Fuss, S., Lamb, W. F., Callaghan, M. W., Hilaire, J., Creutzig, F., Amann, T., Beringer, T., de Oliveira Garcia, W., Hartmann, J., & Khanna, T. (2018). Negative emissions—Part 2: Costs, potentials and side effects. Environmental Research Letters, 13(6), 063002. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aabf9f

Hasan, F. W. M., Al Kez, D., Furszyfer Del Río, D., Foley, A., Rooney, D., & Abai, M. (2024). Decarbonizing and offsetting emissions in the airline industry: Current perspectives and strategies. Energy, 133809. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.133809

International Energy Agency. (2024). Net zero roadmap: A global pathway to keep the 1.5°C goal in reach. Paris: International Energy Agency. https://www.iea.org/reports/net-zero-roadmap-a-global-pathway-to-keep-the-15-c-goal-in-reach

Joyo, F. Benedetto N., Davide G.,2025. Decarbonization pathways for the pulp and paper industry: A techno-economic and life cycle assessment. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2025.116070

Koytsoumpa, E. I., Magiri-Skouloudi, D., Karellas, S., & Kakaras, E. (2018). Bioenergy with carbon capture and utilization: A review on the potential deployment towards a European circular bioeconomy. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111641

Rosales-Calderon, O., Tao, L., Abdullah, Z., Moriarty, K., Smolinski, S., Milbrandt, A., Talmadge, M., Bhatt, A., Zhang, Y., Ravi, V., Skangos, C., Tan, E., & Payne, C. (2024). Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) state-of-industry report: State of SAF production process. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. https://docs.nlr.gov/docs/fy24osti/87802.pdf

Schildhauer, T., Kroon, P., Kiel, J., Höftberger, E., Gölles, M., Moioli, E., Madi, H., Reichert, G., & Kupelwieser, F. (2025). Technologies for flexible bioenergy (Updated). IEA Bioenergy Task 44: Flexible Bioenergy and System Integration. https://task44.ieabioenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2025/04/IEAB-Task-44_2025_-Report-Technologies-for-Flexible-Bioenergy-Update.pdf

Vaquerizo, L. (2026). Thermochemical production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) via biogas autothermal reforming assisted by green hydrogen. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 242, 155584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.155584

*Solomon Tekle Rikitu is a PhD student at National Chung Hsing University (Taiwan), focusing on net-zero industrial systems and sustainable decarbonization pathways. His research integrates industrial symbiosis with CO₂ capture, utilization, and conversion (CO₂RR), emphasizing system-level CO₂ mitigation and resource valorization. He applies life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA), including extended TEA (eTEA), to evaluate environmental impacts, economic feasibility (CAPEX/OPEX), carbon pricing sensitivity, and CO₂ as a feedstock within emerging circular carbon systems.