July 22, 2025 [Bioenergy Times]- Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has been produced for the first time at Croatia’s Rijeka Oil Refinery, INA announced, marking a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to reduce emissions and support cleaner air travel, reports AMAN.

The pilot project, aimed at aligning with the European Union’s renewable energy goals, involved processing bio-feedstock in the refinery’s hydrocracking unit. Alongside SAF, INA also produced renewable diesel fuel, known as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).

This move comes in response to the EU Renewable Energy Directive, which requires member states to boost the share of renewable energy in transport and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The directive includes specific targets for the use of advanced biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.

INA has set a goal of completing all necessary preparations to begin regular SAF production by 2029.

The pilot project, conducted in collaboration with Chevron Lummus Global (CLG), the refinery’s technology provider, tested the processing of a blend containing 5% POME (Palm Oil Mill Effluent), a by-product of palm oil production, mixed with fossil feedstocks. The test run took place from May 5 to 13, 2025, during which 1,000 tonnes of bio-feedstock were processed.

Independent auditor Bureau Veritas certified the entire process under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standard for sustainable biofuels.

“This successful trial marks an important step forward in our commitment to cleaner energy and reducing emissions in the transport sector,” INA said in a statement.