LanzaJet's Speedbird Project Marks Progress in Ethanol-to-Jet Conversion in the UK

LanzaJet's Speedbird Project: A Milestone in Sustainable Aviation

LanzaJet, a prominent player in next-generation fuel technology, has made significant progress in its Speedbird project, receiving over $13 million (£10 million) from the UK Department for Transport. This funding supports the development of a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) biorefinery in Teesside, primarily aimed at British Airways, which is both an investor and a customer.

The receipt of this grant marks a pivotal step in advancing the Speedbird project, which is moving into the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) phase. This stage is critical as it signifies the transition from initial planning to detailed engineering of what is expected to be one of the UK's first commercial-scale ethanol production facilities utilizing waste-based feedstocks. Speedbird's selection as the top-funded project in this competitive process demonstrates LanzaJet’s leadership in the SAF domain and the UK's commitment to transitioning beyond pilot projects to large-scale industrial deployment.

Transforming Aviation with Low-Carbon Ethanol

LanzaJet's innovative technology, known as Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ), is designed to produce SAF from low-carbon ethanol, fundamentally revolutionizing the aviation industry. The integrated solution employs Hummingbird® technology from Technip Energies, converting ethanol to ethylene, a process that has been successfully licensed to the Speedbird project and is being commercialized for the first time at LanzaJet’s Freedom Pines Fuels plant in Georgia, USA.

Upon completion, the Speedbird facility is projected to generate over 30 million gallons (approximately 90 kilotons) of SAF annually from low-carbon ethanol. This change is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the fuel's lifecycle compared to traditional fossil jet fuel, underscoring the project's role in the decarbonization of the aviation sector.

A Vision for Sustainable Aviation in the UK

Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet, expressed pride in the partnership with the UK government, emphasizing the project's potential to lead the SAF sector in the UK. He noted that this funding reflects confidence in LanzaJet’s ATJ technology and its impact on economic growth, job creation, and the reduction of carbon emissions in air travel. The initiative aligns with the UK government's SAF mandate, which aims for 10% of jet fuel in the country to come from sustainable sources by 2030.

Located in Teesside, the LanzaJet facility is expected to have substantial regional benefits, creating hundreds of jobs and energizing the local economy while contributing to a cleaner energy hub. By anchoring the project in Teesside, LanzaJet aims to foster a broader ecosystem for sustainable fuels that connects local feedstock suppliers, renewable energy producers, and storage and distribution partners. This effort fits into the UK's net-zero strategy and its ambition to become a global leader in SAF production.

LanzaJet's Global Vision

With this major milestone, LanzaJet is positioning itself to expand sustainable fuels globally, combining technological innovation with operational expertise and strong partnerships necessary for swift aviation decarbonization. The company aims to not only accelerate the production and deployment of SAF but also to play an essential role in the transformation of the global economy towards a sustainable future.

About LanzaJet

LanzaJet is at the forefront of alternative fuel technology, leveraging its proprietary Alcohol-to-Jet process based on ethanol. The company is committed to providing opportunities for future generations through the acceleration of SAF production and other alternative fuel technologies. Last year, LanzaJet was recognized as one of TIME's most influential companies (TIME100), named a "Rising Star" company by SP Global, and recognized as one of MIT's 15 "Climate Tech" companies to watch in 2024. For more information, visit LanzaJet.