LanzaJet and British Airways Forge Sustainable Aviation Fuel Partnership

LanzaJet, a startup specializing in renewable jet fuel and originating from established renewable fuel producer LanzaTech, has secured a supply agreement with British Airways. This agreement guarantees the airline a minimum of 7,500 tons of fuel additive annually.

Expanding Renewable Fuel Initiatives

This collaboration represents British Airways’ second venture into renewable jet fuel sourcing, following a prior agreement with Velocys in August 2019. It also constitutes LanzaJet’s second significant offtake agreement, building upon an initial partnership with the Japanese airline, ANA.

As part of this arrangement, British Airways will contribute an unspecified investment towards LanzaJet’s inaugural commercial-scale production facility located in Georgia. The resulting fuel is projected to be utilized in powering flights before the close of 2022, as stated by the companies involved.

Future Expansion Possibilities

The current agreement potentially paves the way for LanzaJet to establish a dedicated commercial facility within the United Kingdom for British Airways in the coming years.

Construction on the Georgia facility is slated to commence later this year. This plant will employ a chemical process to convert ethanol into a jet fuel additive.

Environmental Impact and Technological Foundation

The fuel produced at this plant is anticipated to yield a 70% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel. This impact is equivalent to removing approximately 27,000 gasoline or diesel vehicles from roadways annually, according to LanzaJet.

The development of this technology is the result of extensive research and development efforts conducted by LanzaTech, LanzaJet’s parent company, in collaboration with the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Investment and Growth Strategy

LanzaJet was established in June 2020, backed by an investment consortium including LanzaTech, Mitsui, and Suncor Energy. British Airways now joins these strategic investors as LanzaJet pursues an ambitious expansion plan through 2025.

The company intends to launch four large-scale plants dedicated to the production of a diverse range of renewable fuels.

Executive Perspectives

“Low-cost, sustainable fuel options are critical for the future of the aviation sector and the LanzaJet process offers the most flexible feedstock solution at scale, recycling wastes and residues into SAF that allows us to keep fossil jet fuel in the ground,” stated Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet. “British Airways has long been a champion of waste to fuels pathways especially with the UK Government.”

Samartzis further added, “With the right support for waste-based fuels, the UK would be an ideal location for commercial scale LanzaJet plants. We look forward to continuing the dialogue with BA and the UK Government in making this a reality, and to continuing our support of bringing the Prime Minister’s Jet Zero vision to life.”

Fuel Specifications and Market Potential

LanzaJet’s fuel is currently certified for blending with conventional kerosene at levels up to 50%. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech, noted, “Considering the aviation market is 90 billion gallons of jet fuel a year, having 50% or 45 billion of production capacity and reaching that max blend level will be a great problem to have.”

The Georgia manufacturing facility is engineered for zero-waste fuel production. British Airways is committed to receiving 7,500 tons of sustainable aviation fuel annually from LanzaJet’s biorefinery over the next five years.

Collaborative Ecosystem

This partnership involves British Airways, Hangar 51 (International Airlines Group’s accelerator), and other contributing entities.

Beyond its biofuel initiatives, British Airways is also collaborating with companies such as ZeroAvia, a hydrogen fuels company that has also received investment from Amazon, Shell, and Breakthrough Energy Ventures.

Commitment to Sustainability

“For the last 100 years we have connected Britain with the world and the world with Britain, and to ensure our success for the next 100, we must do this sustainably,” emphasized Sean Doyle, CEO of British Airways.

“Progressing the development and commercial deployment of sustainable aviation fuel is crucial to decarbonising the aviation industry and this partnership with LanzaJet shows the progress British Airways is making as we continue on our journey to net zero.”