China: Leftover oil from restaurants in central China’s Henan Province can now be transformed into bio-based aviation fuel through a series of upgraded processes.
At a restaurant in Henan’s Puyang City, workers collect used cooking oil in specially sealed collection buckets and deliver it to food waste disposal stations for further processing.
“We have processed a total of more than 50,000 tonnes of food waste. It is used as feedstock for industrial-grade mixed oil, with an oil extraction rate of approximately 3 per cent,” said Chen Yahui, director of Puxin Company’s food waste disposal operations department.
The greatest significance of transforming waste oils and fats lies in their conversion into bio-based aviation fuel, turning a common industrial waste product into a high-end clean energy source.
For local companies specialising in the utilisation of used cooking oil, supplies come not only from Henan but also from other nearby provinces.
“The price of bio-based aviation kerosene rose from around $2,200 per tonne at the beginning of the year to about $2,500 in July, an increase of more than 10 per cent in just six months. Our export volume also grew by approximately 20 per cent year on year, with orders being booked through 2027,” said Hu Rui, operations director of Henan Junheng Industrial Group Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
