Sustainable fuel producer LanzaJet has brought the world’s first ethanol-to-sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility online, which intends to produce 10 million gallons of SAF and renewable diesel a year using its proprietary technology.
The LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels plant (located in Georgia, US) will use ‘low carbon, sustainable, and certified ethanol which meets US and global standards’ to produce its fuel. Its technology was developed in collaboration with the Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL) and ‘serves as a blueprint for utilizing first-of-its-kind innovation to scale SAF production,’ notes the company.
The facility differs from many other SAF producers in that it uses ethanol as a feedstock rather than the fats and oils many other currently certified production pathways rely on. ‘This ethanol-based technology is the world’s first viable next-generation SAF technology capable of scaling production the levels needed to decarbonize aviation,’ states LanzaJet.
“As we start-up the plant, we will continue to refine our technology, while launching our efforts to advance new sustainable fuel projects globally,” explained LanzaJet CEO Jimmy Samartzis. “Between feedstock versatility, efficiency, and economics that enable scale in the US and globally, we stand ready to meet aviation’s decarbonization goals”.
US agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack described SAF production as a “valuable, emerging industry” that also had potential to revitalise rural communities with “agriculture front and center in the effort”.
Fuel produced at the plant will be used immediately as a drop-in alternative to kerosene-based jet fuel, with all fuel to be produced in the next 10 years already accounted for via offtake agreements. The facility is also estimated to generate around $70 million in annual economic activity for the local economy.