Shanghai SAF Forum
17-18 April 2025 · Shanghai, China; Day 2 site visit to Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Co. and the PAC Laboratory
The SAF Forum returned to China on 17 April 2025, held in Shanghai in collaboration with Tongji University’s College of Transportation and Haixin International. Professor Xingyi Zhu and Professor Shane Zhang opened proceedings, setting the stage for a day of discussion between Australian and Chinese speakers.
Morning sessions covered SAF production and policy: Blake Li of Haixin International outlined China’s emerging production opportunities, Dr Lucas Tisdall discussed Australia’s progress in general aviation decarbonisation, and Dr Louise Brown presented green hydrogen solutions derived from biomass. Ms Jinjin Xu of Boeing China described Boeing’s dual role as both aircraft manufacturer and SAF investor, and Ms Yuanrong Zhou of the ICCT stressed the importance of tracking life-cycle emissions, a point reinforced by Dr Wei Cong of VariFlight, who demonstrated the company’s carbon-tracking platform.
Afternoon sessions turned to strategy and standards. Mr Ruiwen Chang reviewed international airline SAF uptake agreements, Mr Yifeng Mao outlined Spring Airlines’ carbon-reduction plans, and Ms Lindsey Liu presented a market analysis of SAF across Asia-Pacific. Mr Hanwei Zhou of COMAC shared research aligning Chinese and global standards, and Mr Charlie Yin discussed Wellcamp Airport, Australia’s first SAF-supplied aviation hub, as a case study. The day closed with a panel discussion led by the UniSA SAF team.
On 18 April, delegates visited Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Co. (SAMC) and the PAC Laboratory, hosted by COMAC and PAC. The visit, which included discussions with Mr Huang Zuhuan and Ms Shen Tong of COMAC and Mr Samuel Wong and Ms Cynthia Chen of PAC, underlined the value of international partnerships in advancing sustainable aviation ahead of the series’ next stops in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Melbourne.
Event Highlights
Led by Adelaide University · Funded by NFACR