Sustainable Aviation Fuels: Bibliometric Trends and Latin American Opportunities from a Chemical Engineering Perspective

The aviation industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. In this context, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) have emerged as a critical alternative to conventional jet fuels. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of SAF technologies from a chemical engineering perspective, highlighting key production routes, technological maturity levels, and implementation challenges. A bibliometric analysis using the Scopus database and VOSviewer software was conducted to identify research trends and thematic clusters in SAF literature. The analysis reveals a growing interest in advanced biofuels and physicochemical conversion technologies, particularly those supported by catalytic and thermochemical processes. Certified and emerging SAF pathways were examined with respect to their process efficiency, feedstock availability, and scalability. Additionally, the study explores the potential of Latin America as a strategic region for SAF development, considering its abundant biomass resources and ongoing pilot projects. This critical and holistic analysis aims to support researchers, engineers, and policymakers in understanding the current state and future directions of SAF technologies within the framework of chemical process design and optimization. Overall, Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (HEFA-SPK) and Fischer–Tropsch Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (FT-SPK) are identified as the most mature and widely deployed SAF production routes, whereas Alcohol to Jet (ATJ), Synthesized Iso-Paraffins (SIP), and Direct Sugar to Hydrocarbons (DSHC) remain at earlier technological stages despite their long-term potential for feedstock diversification and reduced environmental impacts. The analysis also underscores Latin America, where abundant biomass resources, consolidated agro-industrial systems, and emerging SAF research initiatives create favorable conditions for future development and deployment.