14 November 2024
On 13 November 2024, ISCC held its Regional Stakeholder Meeting in Chicago, bringing together over 75 attendees onsite and 80 virtual participants from across the globe. The event convened a diverse group of international experts to explore key topics, including Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Carbon Footprint Certification, and RFNBOs – subjects currently at the heart of sustainability discussions. ISCC extends a special thank you to our sponsors – UIC Energy Resources Center, Control Union, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, and SCS Global Services – whose support helped create a collaborative and vibrant event in this setting.
Dr Norbert Schmitz, Managing Director of ISCC, opened the event with remarks on ISCC’s impressive growth, now reaching 135 countries. Dr Schmitz emphasised the strength of ISCC’s diverse international team and its broad reach across industries. While global growth continues, he noted North America’s unique potential, particularly given regulatory developments and the rising demand for SAF certification.
Dr Jan Henke, Director of ISCC and Meo Carbon Solutions, provided an overview of the certification landscape, underscoring the importance of rigorous auditing practices to uphold market integrity. He stressed the need for robust compliance mechanisms to mitigate risks, such as feedstock mislabelling, which can erode trust in the biofuels market. Dr Henke outlined ISCC’s ongoing risk management improvements and invited attendees to engage in discussions on certification challenges.
The following abstracts cover the main topics.
Sustainability and safety in biofuels
A central theme was the importance of prioritising sustainability and safety in biofuel production, with a focus on feedstock diversity, including palm oil, forestry residues, and used cooking oil. Certification programmes like ISCC were commended for enhancing transparency in the sector. However, the challenge of scaling biofuel production due to cost disparities with conventional fuels was acknowledged. Stakeholders agreed that government mandates and incentives are essential to bridge these pricing gaps, ensuring SAF can compete effectively with traditional jet fuel.
Certification programmes and transparency
Certification was another focal point, with discussions on the role of ISCC and similar programmes in establishing trust and transparency. Early engagement with certification bodies and a clear understanding of certification scope are critical, particularly in complex supply chains. Partnerships between organisations like Control Union and ISCC provide crucial support from initial contact through to audits and findings. Robert Demianew, President of Control Union US, reaffirmed Control Union’s commitment to enhancing certification processes to address challenges like supply chain complexity and regulatory compliance.
Challenges and opportunities in scaling SAF
A panel discussion highlighted logistical and infrastructural challenges in scaling SAF production. SAF exchange transparency, supported by ASTM certification, was seen as essential to uphold safety and performance standards. Regulatory conflicts, including the impact of RFS 45Z on SAF production, pose ongoing challenges. Alex Menotti from Lanza Jet will lead efforts to address these regulatory issues, especially concerning the alcohol-to-jet pathway, while stakeholders leverage ISCC’s Credit Transfer System to improve transparency in SAF transactions. Additionally, Dr Prem Lobo (Federal Aviation Administration) and Andrea Ayala (United Airlines) are working with partners to improve SAF distribution, particularly at major airports like O’Hare.
Feedstock diversity and market understanding
Attendees discussed a range of feedstocks, including palm oil, palm kernel oil, and forestry residues, stressing the importance of understanding market dynamics and ensuring sustainable sourcing. Control Union’s global reach enhances certification across diverse markets, supporting feedstock sustainability and advancing the broader goals of biofuel production.
Collaboration and partnerships
Collaboration and partnership were emphasised as critical to the biofuels industry’s progress. Open communication throughout the value chain fosters innovation and streamlines certification processes. Melita Kyriakou, Low Carbon Fuels Regulation Manager at bp, will advocate for an increase in ASTM standards to allow higher biomass content in SAF, supporting co-processing as a practical solution for scaling SAF production.
The meeting concluded with the election of Justine Raftis (Canadian Canola Growers Association) as the new co-chair for the Regional Stakeholder Committee North America, along with a heartfelt thanks to outgoing co-chair Dennis for his decade of contributions. A big thank you to everyone who made this event such a success. We look forward to next year!
