LanzaTech Low Carbon Fuel Technology achieves breakthrough as LanzaTech produces jet fuel from waste gases for Virgin Atlantic.

• For the first time ever, 1,500 US gallons of jet fuel has been produced from LanzaTech’s low carbon ethanol
• Producing the world’s first jet fuel derived from waste industrial gases from steel mills, viafermentation process
• The alcohol-to-jet (AtJ) fuel has passed all its initial performance tests with flying colours
• Initial analyses suggest the new fuel will result in carbon savings of 65% compared to conventional jet fuel

An innovative low carbon fuel project has taken a significant step forward after successfully producing 1,500 US gallons of jet fuel.

The breakthrough towards developing commercially viable low carbon fuel is the result of a partnership between Virgin Atlantic and LanzaTech. Since 2011 they have been committed to producing the world’s first jet fuel derived from waste industrial gases from steel mills via a fermentation process.

LanzaTech and Virgin Atlantic are now set to continue to work with Boeing and a host of industry colleagues to complete the additional testing aircraft and engine manufacturers require before approving the fuel for first use in a commercial aircraft. Assuming all initial approvals are achieved, the innovative LanzaTech jet fuel could be used in a first of its kind proving flight in 2017.

Following a successful ‘proving flight’ the data collected will enable the partnership to seek approval to use the fuel on routine commercial flights. This would also help pave the way for LanzaTech to fund and build their first commercial jet fuel plant to supply fuel to Virgin Atlantic and other airlines.