Waste plastic to SAF plant opens in Kent

April 28, 2026

A pioneering plant in Kent has begun transforming hard-to-recycle plastic waste into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), offering a lower-carbon alternative to traditional jet fuel and supporting greener air travel.

Developed by Clean Planet Technologies, a division of Clean Planet Group, the new pilot facility in Sandwich is designed to convert non-recyclable plastics into aviation fuel with up to 75% fewer carbon emissions compared to conventional fossil-based jet fuels.

Turning plastic waste into cleaner jet fuel

Modern aircraft still rely heavily on fossil fuels, which release significant amounts of carbon dioxide. In response, the aviation sector has been exploring SAF made from renewable and waste-based sources. This new facility takes that approach further by using plastics that would otherwise end up in landfills, incinerators, or be exported.

The process involves heating plastic waste to approximately 450°C in an oxygen-free environment. This method produces a dense synthetic oil that can be refined into jet fuel. By eliminating steps such as crude oil extraction, transportation, and traditional refining, the process significantly cuts emissions before the fuel even reaches an aircraft.

A transitional solution for aviation emissions

According to CEO Bertie Stephens, while fully zero-emission aviation remains decades away, innovations like this offer a practical interim solution. He highlights that the UK generates around two million tonnes of unrecyclable plastic annually—material that can now be repurposed into fuel instead of contributing to pollution.

Although in-flight emission reductions are modest, the biggest environmental gains come from reducing upstream carbon output across the fuel production lifecycle.

Supporting the UK’s SAF targets

This initiative aligns with the UK government’s broader strategy to decarbonize aviation. Current targets aim for SAF to supply 2% of total jet fuel demand, increasing to 10% by 2030 and 22% by 2040. Facilities like this are expected to play a key role in achieving those goals.

Industry perspectives and environmental debate

Matthew Jee, representing the UK SAF Clearing House, emphasizes that aviation demand will continue to grow, making sustainable fuel alternatives essential for reducing environmental impact.

However, not all experts agree on the long-term solution. Alethea Warrington from Possible argues that reducing unnecessary flights should be a priority. She warns that focusing too heavily on alternative fuels could delay more effective climate strategies if current travel habits remain unchanged.

The bigger picture

As the aviation industry faces mounting pressure to cut emissions, innovations like waste-to-fuel technology represent a critical step forward. While not a complete solution, converting plastic waste into SAF offers a scalable and more sustainable pathway—bridging the gap between today’s fossil fuel dependence and tomorrow’s low-carbon aviation future.