Platts proposes to update the sustainable aviation fuel CIF ARA density specification

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, proposes to update the density reflected in its daily SAF assessments to better align it with industry standards for the HEFA production pathway, effective Oct. 20, 2023.

Platts proposes that density be updated to 760 kg/cu m at 15 degrees Celsius, compared with a current density of 776 kg/cu m at 15 C.

The proposed change comes in line with the ASTM D7566 standard for Synthesized Paraffinic Kerosine from Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids, which provides a density range of 730-772 kg/cu m at 15 C, as well as market feedback that the reference density of HEFA SAF should be 760 kg/cu m.

In the Platts Market on Close assessment process, Platts may publish bids, offers and trades for SAF with other specific gravity or density values, but these may be normalized for assessment purposes.

The proposed change affects the following assessments:

SAF CIF ARA AJNWD00 and SAF CIF ARA Premium AJNWF00.

Platts proposes to also update the conversion rates to reflect the change in reference density. Platts would publish the SAF prices in $/mt, using a 347.594 conversion factor to $/gallon, which implies a $/mt to $/barrel conversion factor of 8.276.

These assessments appear in Biofuelscan, Weekly Biomass Based Diesel report and the Platts price database under the codes above.

Please send any comments or feedback by Oct. 10 to mrts_biofuelsandfeedstocks@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.