From Fryer to Flight: How a Key Certification Fuels Aviation's Future

WOODRIDGE, IL – January 19, 2026 – Mahoney Environmental, a veteran in the used cooking oil (UCO) recycling industry, has secured dual certifications that position it as a pivotal player in the global push to decarbonize transportation. The company announced it has achieved International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) for both the European Union and the international aviation sector, a move that validates its collected UCO as a legitimate, sustainable feedstock for the booming clean fuels market.

This dual certification formally enables Mahoney to supply verified waste materials to manufacturers producing renewable diesel and, crucially, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). For an industry grappling with ambitious emissions reduction targets, a verified and traceable supply chain is not just an advantage—it's a necessity. The certifications ensure that the UCO collected from restaurants and food service operators nationwide meets the stringent 'waste and residue' criteria under international standards, a key requirement for fuel producers.

"The ISCC Certification opens doors to new markets and creates competitive advantages by showing compliance with increasingly stringent sustainability regulations," said Dave Kimball, CEO and President of Mahoney Environmental. "It provides third-party verification of responsible sourcing practices, builds trust with buyers, and positions Mahoney as a reliable partner in sustainable supply chains."

The Power of a Verified Supply Chain

The significance of the ISCC EU and ISCC CORSIA certifications lies in the assurance they provide. The ISCC EU certification is recognized under the EU's Renewable Energy Directive (RED), which mandates that biofuels meet specific sustainability and greenhouse gas savings criteria. For UCO, this involves a rigorous process to prove it is a genuine waste product, which allows it to contribute more significantly toward renewable energy targets.

Simultaneously, the ISCC CORSIA certification aligns with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, a global framework established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Under CORSIA, airlines can lower their carbon offsetting obligations by using eligible SAF. For a fuel to be eligible, its entire lifecycle, starting with the feedstock, must be certified. Mahoney's certification provides this foundational guarantee, confirming its UCO meets the sustainability criteria required for SAF production.

This verification is paramount in a market where concerns over feedstock integrity persist. The system is designed to prevent fraud, such as virgin vegetable oils being mislabeled as waste UCO to exploit policy incentives. By adhering to ISCC's mass-balance and traceability requirements, which track the material from the point of origin—the restaurant kitchen—to the fuel refinery, Mahoney provides a level of assurance that is becoming a prerequisite for market entry.

Fueling a High-Demand, Low-Supply Market

Mahoney's timing could not be better. The global demand for certified UCO is surging as governments and corporations intensify their decarbonization efforts. The global UCO market, valued at over $7 billion in 2024, is projected to climb past $12 billion by 2034, driven almost entirely by its use as a biofuel feedstock.

Both the U.S. and Europe have enacted policies that heavily favor waste-based feedstocks over traditional food-based crops for biofuel production. In the United States, the boom in renewable diesel production has created a voracious appetite for UCO. Globally, the aviation industry's commitment to SAF is the primary growth engine. With over 65 airlines committed to using SAF and the EU implementing blending mandates like ReFuelEU Aviation, the demand for verified feedstock is expected to outstrip supply.

Industry analyses highlight a significant supply-demand gap. In the U.S. alone, UCO collection is estimated to fall billions of pounds short of the biofuel industry's needs, forcing a heavy reliance on imports, particularly from Asia. This reliance introduces geopolitical risks and underscores the value of a robust domestic supply chain.

The intense competition for this limited resource has caused significant price volatility, with UCO commanding a premium over many virgin oils. Certified, traceable UCO is becoming a high-value commodity.

"For feedstock providers, like Mahoney, the ISCC certification transforms our feedstock into a verified sustainable commodity that commands better prices and secures long-term contracts with environmentally conscious manufacturers," noted Brian Murphy, Finished Product Sales Manager.

A Strategic Move for a Global Leader

This development is also a strategic victory for Mahoney's parent company, Neste, the world's leading producer of renewable diesel and SAF. Neste acquired Mahoney Environmental in 2020 as part of a broader strategy to secure its feedstock supply chain through vertical integration. By owning a major UCO collector and processor in the U.S., Neste gained direct access to a critical raw material.

Mahoney's new certifications directly bolster Neste's global operations. They ensure that the feedstock flowing from Mahoney's nationwide network into Neste's refineries—including its massive facility in Singapore—is pre-verified to meet the highest international standards. This integration strengthens Neste's market leadership by creating a resilient, transparent, and sustainable supply chain, giving it a competitive edge in a market where feedstock security is a primary concern.

Founded in 1953, Mahoney has built a comprehensive system for managing the entire recycling process, from installing collection equipment in restaurant kitchens to processing the waste oil for its next life. This end-to-end control is what makes robust certification possible. As the world transitions toward cleaner energy, the company's ability to transform a common waste product from yesterday's meals into the fuel for tomorrow's flights places it at the very heart of the circular economy.