Honeywell and Jilin Cornell Collaborate on Methanol-to-Sustainable Aviation Fuel Project Using eFini
Time:2026-05-19 Browse: 0
Honeywell has partnered with Jilin Cornell New Energy Co., Ltd. to advance a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project with an annual production capacity of 280,000 tons. The project will leverage Honeywell UOP eFining™ technology, positioning it to become one of the largest methanol-to-jet (MTJ) SAF production facilities in the world, supporting the aviation industry’s global decarbonization efforts.
Honeywell UOP eFining™ Technology
The eFining™ process converts green methanol into sustainable aviation fuel. The methanol feedstock can originate from biomass-derived methanol or eMethanol, synthesized from green hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The technology enables reliable, high-efficiency, and cost-competitive production of SAF, including electronic SAF (eSAF).
Compared with conventional jet fuel, SAF produced via eFining™ can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It can also be blended directly with traditional jet fuel without requiring modifications to existing aviation infrastructure, offering a scalable and practical pathway for airlines to achieve lower emissions.
Strategic Significance of the Project
The project will extend Jilin Cornell’s existing methanol-to-olefins (MTO) facility downstream, enhancing the value of methanol resources and laying the groundwork for future integration with renewable energy sources such as biomass, wind, and solar power in Northeast China. Once operational, the plant will help meet the growing global demand for SAF and drive the development of a regional low-carbon chemical industry.
This collaboration continues the long-standing strategic partnership between Honeywell and Jilin Cornell. In 2016, Cornell Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. adopted Honeywell UOP’s methanol-to-olefins technology to convert coal-based resources into high-value chemical products. The current methanol-to-aviation fuel project further expands their cooperation into the low-carbon energy sector.
As China accelerates the development of low-carbon fuels within its broader energy strategy, scaling up methanol-to-aviation fuel technology is expected to diversify feedstocks, reduce costs, and advance the commercial deployment of sustainable aviation fuels.
