Mexico Explores Turning Caribbean Sargassum Into Jet Biofuel

The federal government could invest in a project to transform the sargassum that washes up on the beaches of the Mexican Caribbean into jet biofuel. The initiative would involve the creation of a multinational company in collaboration with Central American and Caribbean countries.

During the Siemens Energy Forum held in Mexico City, José Samaniego, Deputy Minister of Sustainable Development and Circular Economy, SEMARNAT, announced that authorities are evaluating a plan to use sargassum as a feedstock for aviation biofuel. He highlighted the possibility of creating a multinational company with Central American and Caribbean countries dedicated to producing biofuel derived from the algae. “This would help us address a common problem and benefit all of us if we enter the international aviation market,” Samaniego said.

The rapid growth of sargassum along the Caribbean beaches has created significant social and political pressure. Alicia Bárcena, Minister, SEMARNAT, emphasized that sargassum blooms across the Caribbean exceed 5Mt, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts between regional and national authorities to address the problem effectively. Leticia Durand, Researcher, UNAM’s Regional Center for Multidisciplinary Research, reported that the cost of removing sargassum can exceed US$1 million per kilometer of beach per year, making long-term solutions critical.

If the proposed project moves forward, it would give sargassum a productive use while potentially lowering costs for airlines. Currently, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is approximately 3.5 times more expensive than conventional jet fuel, posing a significant financial challenge for widespread adoption.

Recently, the state-owned company Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) announced an investment of MX$300 million (US$16 million) to expand a mixing plant in Cancun. This facility produces biofuel from used cooking oil and is considered a first step toward integrating other raw materials, such as sargassum, into production.

Samaniego also noted that such a project would help airlines comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) mandate to decarbonize flights starting in 2027, established under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

CORSIA is a global plan designed to stabilize the growth of CO₂ emissions from international aviation by requiring airlines to purchase carbon credits for each ton emitted above 85% of 2019 levels. According to ICAO, buying credits is intended to be a last-resort measure, after airlines have implemented other emissions-reduction strategies. These strategies include making aircraft and engines more efficient and lighter, optimizing take-off and landing procedures, and adopting electric engines for short-haul flights.

The program is being rolled out in phases before becoming mandatory for all international flights in 2027. During the pilot phase (2021–2023) and the first phase (2024–2026), offsetting applies only to flights between countries that volunteer to participate. However, as of this year, 129 countries, including Mexico, are part of the scheme.