Korea is moving to turn discarded coffee grounds and animal fat into a new type of aviation fuel, launching a major research program aimed at securing supply chains for sustainable jet fuel as global carbon rules tighten. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said last Wednesday that it will formally launch a national research and development initiative focused on producing high-quality biofuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), from organic waste generated by the food industry. The state-backed program comes as international aviation emissions frameworks prepare to mandate stricter carbon reduction targets, increasing pressure on airlines and fuel exporters to adopt low-carbon alternatives. To kickstart the initiative, ministry officials hosted an inaugural briefing last Wednesday at Withspace in western Seoul alongside key public agencies and corporate partners, including the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute and industrial developer LTM Metal. Under the program, the government will oversee an investment of 48.7 billion won ($32.3 million) through
