LanzaJet Pioneers Commercial-Scale Ethanol-Based Jet Fuel Production
LanzaJet has etched its name in aviation history by becoming the first company globally to produce jet fuel from ethanol at a commercial scale. This achievement signifies a major advancement in sustainable aviation fuel technology.
The company recently announced that its Freedom Pines Fuels facility in Soperton, Georgia, has commenced full operation and ASTM-specification jet fuel production. This significant milestone is the culmination of 15 years of research and development in alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology. It also marks the creation of the first non-oil-based renewable fuel solution that is fully compatible with existing aircraft.
The $300 million facility has the capacity to produce 10 million gallons annually of either sustainable aviation fuel or renewable diesel. LanzaJet’s proprietary ATJ technology utilizes a variety of sustainable feedstocks. These include agricultural residues, energy crops, municipal solid waste, and captured carbon. This innovative approach can deliver up to 70% lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions when compared to conventional jet fuel.
CEO Jimmy Samartzis hailed the achievement as “a major win for global aviation” and “a beacon of hope for the future.” This breakthrough arrives at a time when the aviation industry is actively seeking alternatives to traditional bio-oil pathways, which are nearing feedstock limitations.
LanzaJet has received backing from major aviation investors. These include Airbus, British Airways, Southwest Airlines, and Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund. The company has plans to establish additional SAF production facilities worldwide. One such planned facility is in North Yorkshire, England.
Source: LanzaJet