NEXTCHEM Secures Early Contract for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plant in Nebraska

NEXTCHEM's Strategic Advancement in Sustainable Aviation Fuel

MAIRE S.p.A., a prominent technology and engineering firm, through its subsidiary MyRechemical, has achieved a significant milestone by being awarded an early engineering, licensing, and Process Design Package (PDP) contract by DG Fuels LLC. This contract pertains to the development of an additional Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) plant in Nebraska, utilizing NEXTCHEM’s innovative NX Circular™ gasification technology.

Project Overview

This marks NEXTCHEM's second collaboration with DG Fuels, building on the momentum from the first project in Louisiana, which has seen successful results. The new Nebraska facility is expected to become operational by 2029, with an impressive projected output of 450 million liters of SAF annually. When combined with Louisiana’s production capabilities, these two plants are estimated to fulfill around 8% of the U.S. SAF mandate by 2030.

The Nebraska plant will be designed to process one million tons of corn stover per year, a significant step towards sustainable fuel production. This phase of licensing and process design will be crucial for establishing the gasification and gas treatment units necessary for processing residual biomass.

Advancing Sustainability

The project is aligned with the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Fuels Products Shot initiative, aimed at decarbonizing the aviation industry through the industrialization of SAF production. SAF derived from biomass meets the criteria for the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), an initiative established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to decrease the carbon offset obligations of airlines globally.

Fabio Fritelli, Managing Director of NEXTCHEM, expressed pride in the project, stating, “This initiative builds on our successful engineering phase collaboration with DG Fuels' Louisiana project. Collectively, these projects are set to be among the largest SAF initiatives globally, highlighting NEXTCHEM’s commitment to fostering circular solutions for decarbonization and our strategic positioning within the North American market.”

MAIRE S.p.A.’s Vision

MAIRE S.p.A. plays a pivotal role in the energy transition, offering integrated engineering solutions tailored for downstream markets and sustainable technologies across three key business lines: Sustainable Fertilizers, Low-Carbon Energy Vectors, and Circular Solutions. With a presence in 45 countries and a workforce of over 9,300, supported by a robust network of about 20,000 project partners, MAIRE is well-prepared to lead in the sustainability sector. It is publicly listed on the Milan Stock Exchange under the ticker “MAIRE.”

The procurement of this contract not only exemplifies NEXTCHEM’s technological prowess but also reinforces the broader commitment to a greener, more sustainable future in aviation. As the aviation industry increasingly shifts towards sustainable alternatives, initiatives like the SAF plant in Nebraska are critical to achieving carbon neutrality goals in the sector.

In conclusion, the continual development of SAF production technologies is essential for addressing the pressing climate challenges faced by the aviation industry. As major players like NEXTCHEM and DG Fuels push forward with innovative solutions, the landscape of aviation fuel production is poised to undergo a transformative shift, paving the way for a more sustainable future.