Aether Fuels and Aster partner on first SAF fuel plant in Singapore

Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) producer Aether Fuels and Aster, a provider of energy and chemical solutions in Southeast Asia, have signed a deal to develop a commercial-scale SAF production facility at Pulau Bukom in Singapore.

Combining Aether’s breakthrough technology with Aster’s deep expertise at its Singapore fully integrated refining and chemical hub, this facility will position Singapore at the forefront of energy transformation and decarbonisation.

Project Beacon, Aether’s commercial demonstration facility, will utilise the company’s Aurora™ technology to produce up to 50 barrels of fuel per day (2,000 tons of fuel per year).

It will convert industrial waste gas and biomethane into CORSIA‑certified SAF, achieving more than 70% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to conventional jet fuel, making it the first commercial facility of its kind. Project Beacon is expected to commence construction in 2026 and begin commercial operations in 2028.

Erwin Ciputra, Group CEO of Aster, said: “Today marks an important step forward in reducing carbon intensity and advancing new energy pathways. By bringing together Aether’s technology with the expertise of our Bukom facility, we are demonstrating how partnerships between established industrial leaders and agile innovators can catalyse the introduction of disruptive solutions on a commercial scale.”

Conor Madigan, founder and CEO of Aether Fuels, said: “Singapore is a natural location for this breakthrough facility, with its world-class talent, strong innovation ecosystem, and steady support from the Economic Development Board (EDB). It is also where Aether began as a venture-build at Xora Innovation, a global deep tech venture firm backed by Temasek, making this project especially meaningful.”

Png Cheong Boon, chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), said: “This new SAF facility strengthens Singapore’s competitiveness as a hub for sustainable products and demonstrates how companies here can seamlessly collaborate to scale breakthrough innovations.

“We welcome more companies to partner with us in advancing sustainable solutions and low-carbon technologies, to shape the next chapter of growth for Singapore and the region.”

Project Beacon will be able to use a range of waste carbon feedstock, which is a critical enabler of next-generation SAF.