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Part of Refinery turnarounds have been completed at facilities in Illinois and the UK, while a new gas plant and fractionator were announced for Corpus Christi.

How does the supply of sustainable aviation fuel affect United Airlines?

United Airlines gains access to sustainable fuel to meet emissions goals. The fuel supply from the Phillips 66 refinery in Roxana, Illinois, provides United Airlines with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This SAF, which is made from used cooking oil, tallow, and distiller’s corn oil, helps United meet its sustainability targets. The fuel production, which has reached 11 million gallons, is supported by Illinois's SAF tax credit, making the purchase economically viable for the airline.

Reported by 1 independent outlet Written Oct 7
Effect
Strong positive
How direct
2 steps, all reported
When
Over the long term
The story
Gone quiet

How it reaches United Airlines

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The facts so far

As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.

  • The Phillips 66 refinery in Roxana, Illinois, supplies fuel to United Airlines.wandtv.com
  • The refinery created 11 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel.wandtv.com
  • The fuel is made from used cooking oil, tallow and distiller’s corn oil.wandtv.com
  • Illinois created a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit to make the fuel economically viable.wandtv.com
  • This work is expected to eliminate emissions from 800,000 passenger trips departing O’Hare International Airport in one year.wandtv.com

Why it matters

For United Airlines, accessing SAF is crucial for meeting increasingly stringent environmental and sustainability mandates. The ability to source this fuel domestically, supported by state incentives, helps the airline reduce its carbon footprint and position itself favorably in a rapidly evolving aviation market.

Illinois is pioneering the development of SAF in the United States, using the Invest in Illinois Act to promote economic development and retention of existing companies. The state's creation of a SAF tax credit is a key policy driver, closing the price gap and making the transition to sustainable fuels economically feasible for major carriers.

What we don't know yet

  • What is the long-term volume commitment for SAF production from the Roxana refinery?
  • How will the SAF tax credit policy evolve in the coming years?

What would change this answer

Increased demand for SAF from major airlinesThis would accelerate the need for increased production capacity at the Roxana refinery, potentially strengthening the supply chain.
Changes or removal of the Illinois SAF tax creditThe economic viability of purchasing SAF could decrease, potentially slowing the adoption rate by United Airlines.

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The full eventPhillips 66 Supplies Sustainable Aviation Fuel to United Airlines in Illinois Everything aboutUnited Airlines

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