World's first ethanol-to-sustainable jet fuel plant opens in US with $200 million investment

Inauguration of the low-carbon aviation fuel ethanol plant in Georgia (Image: LanzaJet)

The world's first plant to produce sustainable aviation fuel from ethanol has been commissioned by pioneers in Illinois, USA. With an investment volume of $200 million, the plant is intended to help decarbonise the aviation industry and at the same time reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Additional facilities will follow in the UK by 2025.

Nicole Dominikowski (translated by Nicole Dominikowski), Published 02/08/2024 🇩🇪 🇪🇸 ...

Business Renewable

The aviation industry consumes 100 billion litres of fossil fuel each year. To help combat climate change, the world's first plant to convert low-carbon, sustainable ethanol into environmentally friendly aviation fuel has opened in Georgia, USA.  

The $200 million plant by LanzaJet is designed to help decarbonise the aviation industry by using a range of sustainable, low-carbon types of ethanol, including those made from waste or traditional feedstocks such as corn, as well as advanced technologies. As a result, the new fuel for jet and diesel engines is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and qualify as a renewable fuel.

The plant has been subsidised by the government and is expected to produce around 10 million gallons of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) and renewable diesel per year. Due to the versatility of the feedstock, efficiency and cost effectiveness, the aim is to scale up in the US and globally. The next step is to build five more plants in the UK:

Due to the versatility of the feedstock, efficiency and cost effectiveness, the aim is to scale up in the US and globally. The next step is to build five more plants in the UK:

The LanzaJet ethanol-to-jet fuel plant in the US is a demonstration of how government support and investment in green technologies can help make aviation more sustainable. At IAG, we look forward to bringing LanzaJet’s technology to the UK, with Nova Pangaea, to help the UK meet its target of five Sustainable Aviation Fuel plants in construction by 2025.

– Luis Gallego, CEO, International Airlines Group (IAG)