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Fez – A new scientific breakthrough in China could open the door to cleaner aviation fuel by turning carbon dioxide and water into jet fuel.
Researchers at the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute announced the development of an experimental process that converts carbon dioxide and water into kerosene-based aviation fuel.
The study was published in ACS Catalysis, a journal linked to the American Chemical Society.
The technology is based on using captured carbon dioxide as a raw material instead of allowing it to enter the atmosphere.
Scientists combine the gas with water through a complex chemical process that produces long-chain hydrocarbons, the main component used in aircraft fuel.
The project reflects a growing global push toward low-emission synthetic fuels as the aviation industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact.
Unlike traditional fuel production, which releases carbon dioxide through combustion, the new method attempts to reverse the process by capturing carbon and reusing it to create fuel.
Researchers say the concept could support what is increasingly known as “carbon recycling” in the energy sector.
According to the Chinese research team, the project has already moved beyond the early laboratory stage.
Scientists are now studying how the technology could eventually be expanded for industrial-scale production, although major economic and technical challenges still remain.
The announcement comes at a time when the global aviation sector continues to struggle with rising fuel costs and unstable energy markets.
Jet fuel prices have increased in recent months due to tighter supply in some international markets and higher crude oil prices.
Analysts also link part of the energy market volatility to geopolitical tensions and ongoing international conflicts, including instability connected to the Middle East, which has added pressure on global oil markets.
Fuel remains one of the largest operating expenses for airlines worldwide.
As a result, aviation companies are closely watching any technology that could reduce dependence on fossil fuels while also lowering carbon emissions.
Despite the progress, researchers acknowledge that producing aviation fuel from carbon dioxide and water still faces significant scientific obstacles.
One of the main challenges is improving the efficiency of converting carbon into long hydrocarbon chains suitable for jet fuel.
Another difficulty involves controlling the exact structure and quality of the molecules produced to ensure they meet commercial aviation fuel standards.
The research team says it has already achieved progress in both areas by improving chemical reaction mechanisms and directing production toward longer and more suitable fuel molecules.
The technology remains experimental and has not yet reached full commercial viability.
Large-scale production will still require solutions related to cost, efficiency, and industrial expansion.
If successfully developed on a wider scale, the technology could become an important step for the aviation industry by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and allowing carbon dioxide already present in the atmosphere to be reused as a source for fuel production.
