Miscanthus and the Future of Carbon-Negative SAF

Biomass Matters: Why Feedstock Choice Defines Sustainability

At Alder Renewables, our technology is built on a simple foundation: biomass. The sustainability and carbon intensity (CI) of our fuels depend on the quality of the feedstocks we use. While residues like sawdust or crop waste already deliver major greenhouse gas savings, purpose-grown energy crops offer the potential to go even further—improving soil health, storing atmospheric carbon below ground, and unlocking the possibility of carbon-negative fuels.

Miscanthus: A Perennial Crop for Carbon Storage

Miscanthus is a perennial grass that stores roughly half of its captured carbon below ground in extensive root systems, while requiring little irrigation, tilling, or fertilizer once established. Every ton harvested is matched by nearly a ton stored underground. This regenerative cycle enriches soils, reduces nutrient runoff, and builds long-term carbon reserves, aligning agriculture with decarbonization.

Field-to-Fuel Demonstration

Through a U.S. DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office award, Alder and its partners demonstrated a full miscanthus-to-fuel pathway:

• Cultivation – Miscanthus grown by AGgrow Tech and tested by UIUC for carbon intensity. Results showed the potential for strongly negative biomass CI values.

• Conversion to ARC – Biomass preprocessed at INL, fast pyrolyzed by BTG Bioliquids, and upgraded into ARC at NREL and Alder's facilities.

• Refining & Testing – ARC refined into jet-range hydrocarbons with Honeywell UOP; fuel testing by WSU confirmed compatibility with 100% SAF requirements.

Key Results

• Negative Carbon Intensity – Miscanthus-derived ARC-SAF achieved a lifecycle CI below -9 gCO_2eq/MJ, within ICAO benchmarks for carbon-negative fuels.

• Superior Fuel Properties – Blending 70% miscanthus ARC-SAF with 30% HEFA-SAF produced Alder SAF100 with higher density, greater energy efficiency, and lower freezing point than HEFA alone.

• Drop-In Compatibility – With aromatics present, the miscanthus Alder SAF100 ensures compatibility with today's aircraft systems while reducing soot formation.

Looking Ahead

Miscanthus-derived Alder SAF100 shows how purpose-grown energy crops can help aviation achieve not just low-carbon, but potentially carbon-negative fuel pathways. By integrating regenerative agriculture with advanced biocrude upgrading, we can decarbonize aviation while improving soils and reshaping land use for the better.