LanzaJet Debuts World’s First Ethanol-to-SAF Production Facility

Today in Soperton, Georgia, government officials and industry leaders gathered for the grand opening of the world’s inaugural commercial ethanol-to-sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) refinery, pioneered and operated by LanzaJet, an innovator in sustainable aviation fuel.

Known as the Freedom Pines facility, this refinery, in construction since 2022, signifies a groundbreaking advancement in next-generation SAF technology that can be scaled up to meet the production demands crucial for the aviation industry’s decarbonization. The facility will employ various sustainable feedstocks, including agricultural waste, municipal solid waste, energy crops, and captured carbon from industrial processes. At its maximum capacity, it is projected to generate 10 million gallons of SAF or renewable diesel annually, with its entire output already committed for the next decade through offtake agreements.Jennifer Holmgren, the board director of the company and CEO of LanzaTech, the entity behind the ethanol-to-SAF technology, expressed, “LanzaJet Freedom Pines is evidence of the ongoing acceleration in the energy transition. We are showcasing the capability to establish secure domestic supply chains, foster local job creation, and contribute to the global production of sustainable aviation fuels.”Notable figures present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony included shareholders International Airlines Group, Mitsui & Co., Shell, and Suncor Energy. Additionally, investors like the Microsoft Climate Innovation fund, Breakthrough Energy, British Airways, and All Nippon Airways were in attendance.U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack affirmed, “The Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to unlocking the full potential of SAF as we strive to build a robust, sustainable, resilient, and competitive economy, while ensuring the prosperity of rural areas. The transition to SAF will not only establish new climate-smart markets for American producers but also position American companies like LanzaJet at the forefront of a valuable emerging industry, simultaneously revitalizing rural communities such as Soperton with a focus on agriculture.”