Sustainable Aviation
LanzaJet Launches First Commercial Ethanol-Based Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plant
LanzaJet starts commercial production of ethanol-derived Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Georgia, advancing global aviation decarbonization.
A New Frontier in Aviation: LanzaJet’s Ethanol-to-Jet Fuel Breakthrough
The global Aviation industry, a cornerstone of modern connectivity and commerce, stands at a critical juncture. Faced with mounting pressure to decarbonize, the sector has been in ardent pursuit of viable, scalable, and Sustainability alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. In a landmark development, LanzaJet has announced a historic achievement: the world’s first commercial-scale production of SAF derived from ethanol. This milestone, realized at the LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels facility in Soperton, Georgia, is not merely an operational success; it represents a pivotal moment in the quest for cleaner skies and a more sustainable future for air travel.
For years, the concept of turning alcohol into jet fuel has moved from laboratory theory to pilot-scale demonstrations, but commercial viability remained an elusive goal. LanzaJet’s success signals a paradigm shift, proving that its proprietary Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology is ready for the global stage. This breakthrough unlocks a new pathway for SAF production, utilizing widely available ethanol feedstocks that can be sourced from agricultural residues, captured carbon, and other waste materials. The fuel produced is a “drop-in” solution, meaning it is fully compatible with existing aircraft and fueling infrastructure, removing a significant barrier to widespread adoption.
The significance of this achievement extends beyond the technical realm. It offers a tangible blueprint for enhancing national energy security by enabling countries to develop domestic fuel supply chains. By creating new markets for agricultural products and waste streams, it also promises substantial economic development opportunities. As we explore the technology, the collaborative effort behind it, and its global implications, it becomes clear that LanzaJet’s accomplishment is a beacon of hope, illuminating a practical path toward a decarbonized aviation industry.
The Technology and the Team: A Blueprint for a Greener Future
At the heart of this revolution is LanzaJet’s innovative Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology. Developed over more than a decade of rigorous research in partnership with the Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL), a U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory, this process efficiently converts ethanol into high-quality, sustainable aviation fuel. The technology is designed for versatility, capable of processing ethanol from a diverse array of non-food, non-oil feedstocks. This flexibility is crucial for scaling up production globally without competing with food supplies or relying on a single source.
The LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels facility in Georgia is the first of its kind, a tangible demonstration of this technology’s commercial readiness. The plant has an annual production capacity of 10 million gallons of sustainable fuels, which includes 9 million gallons of SAF and 1 million gallons of renewable diesel. This output is not just a projection; the facility is fully operational, and in a testament to the immense demand for sustainable alternatives, all the fuel scheduled for production through 2034 has already been sold. This commercial validation underscores the industry’s confidence in LanzaJet’s solution.
This success was not achieved in isolation. It is the result of a powerful coalition of investors and partners from across the technology, energy, and aviation sectors. Key stakeholders include Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund, Breakthrough Energy, LanzaTech, Mitsui & Co., Suncor Energy, Shell, British Airways, and All Nippon Airways (ANA). This diverse backing highlights a shared understanding that decarbonizing aviation requires a concerted, cross-industry effort. The collaboration has provided the necessary capital, expertise, and market access to bring this groundbreaking technology from concept to commercial reality.
“Today proves what happens when you bring together innovation, resilience, ingenuity, and teamwork to think big and develop a new industry, overcome challenges, and enable global growth.” – Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet
Global Implications and the Path Forward
The successful launch of the Freedom Pines Fuels facility has profound implications for the global energy landscape. By providing a scalable and sustainable alternative to traditional jet fuel, LanzaJet’s technology empowers nations to build more resilient and independent energy ecosystems. Countries can now leverage their own agricultural sectors and waste resources to produce fuel domestically, reducing reliance on volatile international oil markets and strengthening their energy security. This is a critical step in the global energy transition, moving from a centralized, fossil-based system to a more distributed and renewable one.
LanzaJet is already expanding its global footprint, establishing Partnerships to deploy its ATJ technology around the world. Projects are underway in India, Australia, Europe, and the United Kingdom, among others. A notable collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation aims to build India’s first alcohol-to-jet SAF production plant, showcasing the technology’s adaptability to different regional contexts and feedstock availability. This global expansion is crucial for meeting the aviation industry’s ambitious climate targets and accelerating the worldwide adoption of SAF.
The impact of LanzaJet’s work has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, the company was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Companies, a recognition of its pioneering role in shaping the future of sustainable energy. This accolade, along with the successful operation of its first commercial plant, solidifies LanzaJet’s position as a leader in the field. The journey from a spin-off company to a global industry influencer in just a few years is a powerful story of innovation and determination.
Concluding a Milestone, Beginning a Movement
The launch of the world’s first commercial-scale ethanol-to-SAF plant is more than just a corporate milestone for LanzaJet; it is a watershed moment for the entire aviation industry. It provides concrete proof that a scalable, commercially viable path to decarbonization exists. The “drop-in” nature of the fuel, the versatility of its feedstocks, and the strong backing from a global coalition of partners all point to a solution that is not just technologically sound but also economically sustainable.
As LanzaJet continues to scale its operations and expand its global presence, the ripple effects will be felt across multiple sectors. From creating new revenue streams for farmers to enhancing energy independence for nations, the benefits extend far beyond the runway. The Freedom Pines Fuels facility serves as a powerful blueprint, demonstrating what is possible when innovation is coupled with strategic collaboration and a clear vision for a sustainable future. This achievement is, as CEO Jimmy Samartzis noted, a “beacon of hope” that will undoubtedly inspire further innovation and investment in the clean energy transition.
FAQ
Question: What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
Answer: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a biofuel used to power aircraft that has similar properties to conventional jet fuel but with a smaller carbon footprint. It is produced from sustainable resources, such as agricultural waste, captured carbon, or other non-fossil-based feedstocks. LanzaJet’s SAF is a “drop-in” fuel, meaning it can be blended with traditional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft without any modifications.
Question: What is unique about LanzaJet’s Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology?
Answer: LanzaJet’s proprietary ATJ technology is the first in the world to produce SAF from ethanol at a commercial scale. Its key advantage is its flexibility; it can use ethanol derived from a wide variety of sustainable feedstocks, including agricultural residues and captured industrial gases. This makes the technology highly scalable and adaptable to different regions around the world.
Question: What is the production capacity of the LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels facility?
Answer: The facility, located in Soperton, Georgia, has an annual Manufacturing capacity of 10 million gallons of sustainable fuels. This is comprised of 9 million gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and 1 million gallons of renewable diesel.
Question: Who are the main Investments and partners in LanzaJet?
Answer: LanzaJet is supported by a diverse group of leading global companies from the aviation, energy, finance, and technology sectors. Key investors and partners include LanzaTech, Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund, Breakthrough Energy, Shell, British Airways, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Suncor Energy, and Mitsui & Co.
Sources: LanzaJet Official Press Release
Sustainable Aviation
DHL Express Starts SAF Flights at Paris CDG With TotalEnergies Fuel
DHL Express signed a SAF deal with TotalEnergies covering 5 million liters in its first year for flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle.
DHL Express has signed a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply agreement with TotalEnergies whose initial phase covers 5 million liters over one year, for aircraft departing its hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). It is DHL Express’s first SAF use in France. The first SAF-powered DHL aircraft left CDG on November 9, 2026, the day the deal was announced.
In a press release dated November 9, 2026, issued from Bonn and Paris, DHL said it is the first express logistics provider to use SAF at CDG. The move coincides with the fifth anniversary of the Paris hub. DHL expects emission reductions of about 11,800 metric tons of CO2e a year in France, with the SAF flights running from CDG to its air hubs in Leipzig, Casablanca, Milan and London.
What the Paris agreement covers
DHL describes the deal as a first SAF supply agreement “over 5 million liters” for DHL Express air operations, and said its initial phase covers 5 million liters over the course of one year for aircraft departing the Paris CDG hub. DHL said the SAF is made from waste and residual materials such as used cooking oil, and works in existing aircraft and airport infrastructure without modifications. Compared with fossil jet fuel, it can cut lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by about 80%, depending on feedstock and production method.
The volumes will also be included in GoGreen Plus, DHL’s book-and-claim offering, which assigns emission reductions to customers even when their shipments do not physically travel on SAF. DHL said customers can use it to reduce their Scope 3 emissions. SHEIN signed a GoGreen Plus agreement with DHL Express in March 2026 to use SAF supplied by DHL for its international express air freight.
Travis Cobb, executive vice president of global network operations and aviation at DHL Express, pointed to the share of SAF already used in DHL’s own fleet:
“In 2025, SAF already accounted for 10% of the aviation fuel used across DHL’s own aircraft fleet”
Philippe Prétat, CEO of DHL Express France, said the opening of the Paris hub in 2021 marked a major milestone, and that SAF use shows that strong logistics performance and a lower carbon footprint can go together. Mathieu Soulas, director of new mobilities at TotalEnergies, said “Sustainable Aviation Fuels are a key lever for reducing aviation emissions today.”
How the deal compares with DHL’s SAF targets
At 5 million liters, the Paris deal is small next to the supply agreements DHL Express has signed elsewhere. In March 2022, DHL announced deals with bp and Neste for more than 800 million liters of SAF until 2026, which it described at the time as among the largest SAF deals in aviation. In May 2026, DHL Express signed an offtake agreement with SAF One for 25,000 metric tons of unblended SAF a year from a plant in Bahrain, with production planned for 2028.
DHL’s stated aim is to raise SAF use to 30 percent by 2030, a goal it restated in May 2026 and that also appears in the Sustainability Roadmap it cited in March 2022. DHL said in March 2026 that SAF accounted for about 10% of fuel consumption in its dedicated air fleet in 2025, up from 3.5% in 2024.
TotalEnergies has been expanding its SAF output in France. In a June 16, 2025 release, the company said it expects to produce more than half a million tons of SAF a year from 2028, to cover the increase in the European SAF blending mandate, set at 6% for 2030. It said its Grandpuits biorefinery would have capacity for 230,000 tons a year of SAF in 2026, and that SAF coprocessing had begun at its Normandy platform. The company said it supplies SAF-blended jet fuel to airports including Paris-Le Bourget, Bordeaux and Toulouse, and that Air France-KLM had signed a deal for up to 1.5 million tons of SAF over ten years.
The Paris CDG hub at five years
DHL opened the CDG hub in 2021 with a EUR170 million investment, which it describes as its largest in France since entering the country in 1976. The site occupies a 91,000-square-meter plot with 34,000 square meters of operational space, and its sorting system handles up to 38,000 parcels and documents per hour. The hub runs 24/7 and employs 760 people.
The AirPro Atlas lists 72,029,407 passengers at CDG in 2025.
DHL also cited ground-side measures in France. It said all of DHL Express France’s owned light commercial vehicles are electric, that it serves 55 French city centers with low-emission delivery modes, and that this supports DHL Group’s target of two-thirds last-mile electrification by 2030.
Sustainable Aviation
Singapore Airlines Signs SAF Offtake Deal with Aether Fuels
Singapore Airlines commits to buying SAF from Aether Fuels’ Project Beacon facility in Singapore, due online in 2028.
Singapore Airlines (SQ) has finalized a firm purchase agreement to offtake next-generation Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from Aether Fuels, becoming the first carrier to commit to the upcoming Project Beacon production facility in Singapore.
Announced in a joint press release on 28 October 2026, the agreement transitions a previous memorandum of understanding into a binding contract. The deal secures future fuel volumes to support the airline’s target of replacing 5 percent of its total fuel consumption with SAF by 2030.
Transitioning from framework to firm commitment
The 28 October 2026 announcement builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two companies on 4 February 2025. That initial framework outlined the airline’s intention to procure neat SAF for a five-year period, with an option to extend for an additional five years, once Aether commenced commercial production.
While the companies confirmed the transition to a firm offtake agreement, the exact fuel volumes and financial terms were not disclosed in the release.
Project Beacon and the Aurora technology
Aether Fuels, a climate technology firm incubated and funded in 2022 by Temasek-backed deep tech venture firm Xora, officially launched Project Beacon on 11 November 2025. The project is a partnership with Aster, a joint venture between Indonesian chemical and infrastructure company Chandra Asri and commodities trader Glencore.
The commercial-scale SAF facility will be located at Aster’s refining hub on Pulau Bukom in Asia-Pacific in Singapore. Aster acquired this site from Shell to develop a dedicated sustainable fuels footprint. Construction of the facility is scheduled to commence in 2026.
Once operational in 2028, Project Beacon is projected to produce 50 barrels per day, equating to approximately 2,000 tons of SAF annually. The plant will utilize Aether’s proprietary Aurora technology to produce Fischer-Tropsch Synthesized Paraffinic Kerosene (FT-SPK). According to Aether Fuels, this pathway is expected to deliver a minimum 70 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.
De-risking commercial scale-up
The firm offtake agreement follows a critical technical milestone for Aether Fuels. On 29 September 2026, the company announced the successful operation of a fully integrated demonstration line at RTI International in North America.
The 2.5 barrel-per-day system combined Aether’s Aurora Tri-Converter and Upgrader units with an existing Fischer-Tropsch reactor. The demonstration successfully converted renewable natural gas derived from landfill gas and captured industrial carbon dioxide into synthetic aviation fuel meeting ASTM D7566 specifications. This successful run provided the engineering data required to de-risk the design and scale-up of the Project Beacon facility ahead of its construction phase.
Singapore’s SAF ecosystem and airline targets
The aviation industry is increasingly reliant on SAF to meet decarbonization targets, but feedstock availability remains a primary bottleneck. Aether’s FT-SPK pathway addresses this by utilizing industrial waste gases and biomethane, bypassing the constrained agricultural and lipid-based feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, that dominate current SAF production.
The agreement aligns with broader regional regulatory shifts. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has mandated a SAF levy for flights departing Singapore starting in 2026 to fund centralized SAF procurement. Singapore Airlines, which operates a fleet with an average age of under eight years, has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
AirPro News analysis
We view this firm offtake agreement as a clear indicator of the tightening future market for non-lipid SAF. The aviation sector’s reliance on Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) SAF is running into hard limits regarding used cooking oil and tallow availability. By committing to Aether’s FT-SPK product before the Project Beacon facility has even broken ground, Singapore Airlines is moving aggressively to lock in alternative feedstock pathways.
This early commitment is necessary for airlines aiming to meet 2030 mandates. The lead times for financing, constructing, and scaling novel waste-to-fuel facilities span several years, meaning airlines cannot wait for commercial production to begin before securing their supply lines.
Sustainable Aviation
SABA Members Back Infinium eSAF Facility With Long-Term Deals
Google, McKinsey, and others sign binding SAFc agreements to support Infinium Energy’s 100,000 MT/year Texas eSAF project.
Corporate members of the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA) have signed binding, multi-year agreements to purchase sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFc) from Infinium Energy’s planned electro-sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) facility in Texas. The commitments, announced on September 22, 2026, are designed to provide the financial demand signals necessary for Infinium to reach a final investment decision on the project.
In a press release issued by SABA, the organization confirmed that American Airlines (AA) will serve as the physical offtaker for the fuel, managing logistics and delivery. The corporate buyers purchasing the associated certificates include AVEVA, Bain & Company, Google, and McKinsey & Company. The agreement marks the first time SABA’s procurement model has been utilized to directly drive new production capacity for scalable sustainable aviation fuel.
Project Atlas production and environmental targets
Infinium Energy was selected through a SABA procurement process earlier in 2026 to provide ultra-low carbon eSAF. The fuel is produced using waste carbon dioxide and renewable energy, distinguishing it from traditional biofuel pathways that rely on agricultural or waste feedstocks.
The planned Texas facility, designated Project Atlas, is expected to have an annual sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production capacity of 100,000 metric tons. According to the alliance, the contracted volumes will support an expected greenhouse gas abatement of 212,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (mtCO2e). SABA equates this emissions reduction to approximately 3,500 commercial flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
“We’re proud to partner with SABA members including AVEVA, Bain & Company, Google, McKinsey, and others, as well as American Airlines to bring Infinium Energy’s next world scale eSAF facility to life. Their commitment reflects a shared conviction that decarbonizing aviation requires real investment in next-generation supply,” said Robert Schuetzle, CEO of Infinium Energy.
Aggregating demand through book-and-claim
The transaction utilizes a book-and-claim model. Corporate buyers purchase the SAFc to claim the environmental benefits against their business travel emissions, while the physical fuel is delivered to partner airlines. This mechanism allows corporations to fund SAF production even when the physical fuel cannot be delivered directly to the airports their employees use.
American Airlines will manage the physical integration of the eSAF into the commercial aviation fuel supply chain. Jill Blickstein, Chief Sustainability Officer at American Airlines, stated that the corporate commitments broaden participation in the SAF market and demonstrate how customers can collaborate with airlines and fuel producers to advance decarbonization.
SABA, a joint initiative of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the Center for Green Market Activation (GMA), and RMI, has aggregated $500 million in SAFc demand from 35 companies to date. Aviation currently accounts for approximately 2 to 3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“Novel technologies are critical to meeting future demand for sustainable aviation fuel, but they will not be operational in time without investments made today. This procurement demonstrates how aggregated, long-term demand can help take promising eSAF projects from idea to reality,” said Jon Creyts, CEO of RMI.
AirPro News analysis
We view this agreement as a critical structural step for the eSAF market. Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuels like those planned for Project Atlas face a steep commercialization barrier. They are highly capital-intensive to build and currently produce fuel at a significant cost premium compared to both conventional Jet A and HEFA-based SAF derived from waste fats and oils.
Airlines operate on thin margins and generally cannot absorb the full green premium of eSAF alone. By unbundling the environmental attributes from the physical fuel, the SABA model allows highly capitalized corporate entities like Google and McKinsey & Company to absorb that premium. More importantly, signing binding, multi-year offtake agreements provides the revenue certainty that infrastructure lenders require before financing first-of-a-kind industrial facilities. If Project Atlas reaches a positive final investment decision based on these contracts, it will validate the book-and-claim model as a viable financing mechanism for next-generation aerospace infrastructure.
Sources: Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance via PR Newswire
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