LanzaJet reached a major milestone at its Freedom Pines Fuels site in Soperton, Georgia. The sustainable fuels technology company began the construction of the first-ever ethanol-based alcohol-to-jet sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility.This plant will speed up the production of SAF, a critical alternative to fossil fuels and an important solution to support the decarbonization of the aviation industry.Two months ago, Breakthrough Energy announced that it will award a $50 million grant through its Catalyst project to LanzaJet and the new facility. The Breakthrough Energy program is designed to aid the deployment of key technologies for commercial-scale projects.The Freedom Pines Fuels facility is set to produce 9 million gallons of SAF and one million gallons of renewable diesel per year. This would roughly double the amount of current sustainable fuel production in the U. S. The fuel will be compatible with existing aircraft globally.
Aviation accounts for 2 to 3% of the total emissions globally and decarbonizing the industry is expensive. An average commercial plane last decades, which makes it impossible to replace at scale. This is why SAF is crucial to decarbonization in the sector.
“The Breakthrough Energy network has provided LanzaJet with a committed, relentless network of corporate and philanthropic organizations who are committed to scaling the technologies needed to meet our climate goals,” said Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet.
The construction of the Freedom Pines Fuels site is expected to be completed in 2023.
