GS Caltex will supply sustainable aviation fuel to DHL Express in Korea, expanding its presence in the fast-growing market for lower-carbon aviation fuels.
The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday at GS Tower in southern Seoul to cooperate on reducing aviation and logistics emissions through SAF.
Kim Chang-soo, vice president of GS Caltex’s Mobility and Marketing Division, and DHL Express CEO John Pearson attended the signing ceremony.
Under the agreement, GS Caltex will supply fuel for DHL Express aircraft operating in Korea for one year. The deal covers 2,000 metric tons of neat SAF, an unblended form of the alternative fuel that can be mixed with conventional jet fuel before use.
The SAF was produced through co-processing, in which renewable feedstocks are processed alongside petroleum-based materials at an existing refinery. It has received ISCC EU certification for compliance with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive.
GS Caltex will also participate in DHL Express’ GoGreen Plus program, which uses SAF to reduce air freight emissions. The program will cover all products shipped by GS Caltex through DHL Express.
To meet growing demand, GS Caltex plans to expand its production capacity by completing a dedicated co-processing line by the end of this year, enabling commercial-scale SAF output.
The refiner has expanded its domestic and overseas SAF operations since 2023. As part of a biofuel demonstration project led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, it supplied fuel for Korea’s first SAF test flights with Korean Air.
In 2024, GS Caltex exported SAF blended with Neste’s neat SAF to Japan’s Narita Airport through trading company Itochu. The deal made it the first Korean refiner to commercially sell SAF certified under ISCC CORSIA, an international standard for aviation fuels.
The company is now working with Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Eastar Jet and Aero K on certified SAF supplies.
“This partnership with DHL Express marks another step in expanding our SAF customer base,” a GS Caltex official said. “We will continue to grow our biofuel business in line with market demand.”
jyoungseon8@heraldcorp.com
