LanzaJet Selects Fluor Corporation for Front-End Engineering & Design of Project Speedbird in the UK

LanzaJet's Project Speedbird: A Sustainable Aviation Fuel Initiative

LanzaJet, Inc., a leader in next-generation fuel technology, has made headlines with its recent announcement regarding Project Speedbird. This ambitious initiative aims to develop a commercial-scale facility for producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from ethanol in Teesside, United Kingdom, and Fluor Corporation has been appointed to handle the front-end engineering and design (FEED) work for this groundbreaking project.

The Vision Behind Project Speedbird

Launched with the support of British Airways, Project Speedbird is set to play a crucial role in the aviation industry's shift toward sustainability. It is expected to produce an impressive 90,000 tons (approximately 30 million gallons) of SAF and renewable diesel annually, which could significantly reduce British Airways' carbon footprint—estimated to cut emissions by around 230,000 tons per year, equating to roughly 26,000 domestic flights.

Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet, emphasized the project's significance in scaling up their pioneering sustainable fuel technology. He stated, "The Speedbird project represents the next commercial facility in our portfolio, developed closely with British Airways. This partnership with Fluor Corporation reflects our commitment to achieving the highest standards in project execution.”

Economic Impacts and Job Creation

The potential impact of Project Speedbird extends beyond aviation. The project's development and operational stages are anticipated to generate hundreds of jobs in Northeast England. Recently, the British Government showed its support by contributing £10 million ($13 million) from its Advanced Fuels Fund to help make this project a reality.

Mike Alexander, Group President of Project Execution at Fluor, highlighted the project's role in advancing global decarbonization efforts in aviation, stating, "The accelerated adoption of sustainable fuel technologies through this project will contribute to redefining the future of air travel. Fluor is proud to contribute our engineering and design expertise to this visionary initiative.”

Innovative Technology at Work

Central to Project Speedbird is LanzaJet’s patented Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology, which will be utilized for producing SAF from low-carbon ethanol. This technology, which has been successfully implemented at LanzaJet's Freedom Pines Fuels facility in Georgia, USA, showcases the capability to integrate sustainable practices into fuel production effectively and economically.

LanzaJet has garnered significant attention around the globe for its innovative approach to sustainable fuels, having received backing from several prominent investors, including Airbus, British Airways, Microsoft, and the US Department of Energy. The company was recognized by TIME as one of the 100 most influential companies and named “Rising Star Company of the Year” by S&P Global, reinforcing its status in the climate technology arena.

As communities and industries strive for carbon neutrality, LanzaJet’s efforts through Project Speedbird could serve as a model for other initiatives worldwide, demonstrating how collaboration and innovative technology can pave the way for a sustainable future in aviation.

For further details, visit LanzaJet's official site.