KBR’s PureSAF Technology Chosen for Kazakhstan’s First SAF Plant

KBR has secured a contract from KazMunayGas-Aero LLP (KMG-Aero), a subsidiary of NC KazMunayGas JSC, and KazFoodProducts (KFP) to support the development of Kazakhstan’s first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production facility. The project represents a major step toward establishing a domestic SAF industry while strengthening Kazakhstan’s ambitions to become an international aviation and transit hub.

Under the agreement, KBR will license its PureSAF® technology and provide proprietary engineering design services for the planned facility. The PureSAF technology was invented and developed by Swedish Biofuels AB and is based on the alcohol-to-jet (AtJ) pathway. This process enables the conversion of alcohol-based feedstocks into sustainable aviation fuel, providing an alternative to conventional petroleum-derived jet fuel.

The project is strategically aligned with Kazakhstan’s national objective of expanding its role in global aviation. By developing domestic SAF production capabilities, the country can support the aviation sector’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving the sustainability of fuel supply chains.

A key feature of the project will be the use of domestically available agricultural feedstocks. These resources can be integrated into higher-value, low-carbon fuel production chains, potentially creating additional value for Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector. The approach could also improve feedstock diversification for SAF production and reduce reliance on conventional fossil-based aviation fuels.

KBR said its PureSAF technology is designed to accommodate a broad range of feedstocks while delivering high SAF yields. The technology is also intended to provide a commercially viable and scalable solution, allowing the project to receive support throughout its development and operational lifecycle.

Jay Ibrahim, President of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions, said the company is pleased to support KMG-Aero and KFP in advancing Kazakhstan’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He highlighted aviation decarbonization as an important component of the country’s broader sustainability objectives.

The contract also strengthens KBR’s position in the rapidly developing SAF technology market. The award follows other recent PureSAF project wins and demonstrates continued industry interest in alcohol-to-jet technology as governments and airlines pursue lower-carbon aviation fuels.

For Kazakhstan, the facility could establish an important domestic source of sustainable aviation fuel while supporting agricultural value chains, aviation-sector growth and national emissions-reduction objectives. For KBR, the project further expands its portfolio of low-carbon technology deployments and strengthens its presence in the global aviation decarbonization market.

Impact on the Product and Chemical Commodity Prices

The project is positive for the SAF market, as Kazakhstan’s first SAF plant will create new regional demand for alcohol-based feedstocks and related processing technologies. Commercial-scale deployment of PureSAF could increase demand for ethanol and other suitable alcohol feedstocks, potentially providing moderate upward price support where supply remains tight. Higher SAF production may also increase demand for methanol and other chemicals used across low-carbon fuel value chains, although the immediate impact should remain limited because the facility is still at the development stage. For commodities tracked by Chemanalyst, ethanol prices could receive the clearest long-term support, while broader chemical prices may see gradual demand-driven gains.