LanzaJet and Jet Zero Australia to collaborate on country’s first ATJ SAF plant

LanzaJet and Jet Zero Australia have signed the first-of-a-kind licence and engineering agreement to develop the country’s first alcohol-to-jet (ATF) sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant. The project is now moving ahead after the Queensland government provided $760,000 towards a project feasibility study. Under Project Ulysses, the North Queensland-based facility will convert ethanol to 102 million litres of SAF annually using LanzaJet’s proprietary technology. The feedstock will consist of sustainably-sourced agricultural by-products, with Queensland premier Steve Miles commenting: “North Queensland is in a unique position to provide feedstock for this project, while also being close to the industry partners that are investing in our state”. SAF produced at the plant will contribute to the Australian government’s ambitious commitment to achieve its emissions reduction target of 43% of 2005 CO2 levels bv 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. It will also contribute to Australia’s energy security by bolstering domestic jet fuel production for civilian and potentially military aircraft. Jet Zero CEO Ed Mason said the two agreements signed with LanzaJet would not only allow the project to move forward to final investment decision, but “more importantly they cement a long-standing relationship with a key partner to the project”. The initiative is also being supported by Airbus, with the company’s chief representative for Australia and New Zealand describing Australia as having “every change of becoming a sustainable fuels superpower, with the right support from government and industry”. Qantas is also investing in the refinery.