LanzaJet Wins RFA Industry Award for SAF Production in Georgia

Sustainable aviation fuel pioneer LanzaJet has received the 2026 Industry Award from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), a U.S. trade association for the ethanol industry. The award recognizes the company for successfully launching the world's first commercial-scale plant to produce jet fuel from ethanol, a landmark achievement in the aviation sector's push for decarbonization.

The recognition underscores the growing importance of innovative pathways for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which is considered essential for the airline industry to meet its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. LanzaJet's facility validates a critical technology that can significantly expand the global supply of lower-emission fuels for aircraft.

Freedom Pines Fuels: A Global First

At the heart of the award is LanzaJet’s Freedom Pines Fuels facility in Soperton, Georgia. According to a press release from the Renewable Fuels Association, the plant is the first of its kind globally and has an annual production capacity of 10 million gallons of SAF. The facility, which became operational in late 2025, represents a pivotal step from pilot projects to full-scale commercial manufacturing of ethanol-based aviation fuel.

“By unlocking the potential of their proprietary Alcohol-to-Jet technology, LanzaJet has not only advanced the global deployment of sustainable aviation fuel but also created new opportunities for decarbonization, economic development, and energy security around the world,” stated Geoff Cooper, RFA President and CEO. He added, “They have also shown that a tremendous new market opportunity for American ethanol producers and farmers is no longer just over the horizon. It is well within our reach.”

The Alcohol-to-Jet Pathway

LanzaJet utilizes an Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology, a process that converts ethanol into synthetic paraffinic kerosene suitable for use in jet engines. This specific ethanol-to-SAF pathway was officially approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) in 2016, clearing the regulatory path for its commercial use. The official RFA announcement highlights the technology's role in creating a new market for ethanol.

The ATJ pathway is significant because it diversifies the feedstocks available for SAF production. While other methods, such as Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), rely on limited supplies of fats, oils, and greases, the ATJ process can utilize ethanol produced from a wide variety of globally abundant sources, including agricultural residues and industrial off-gases. This flexibility is seen as key to unlocking the 'next wave' of SAF production and scaling it to meet aviation's immense demand.

Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet, commented on the milestone, stating, “This is an important milestone for LanzaJet and our investors, and it's a major win for global aviation – perhaps serving as a beacon of hope for the future.”

Impact on Aviation Decarbonization

The aviation industry has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, a goal that relies heavily on the widespread adoption of SAF. Data shows that SAF can reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel. However, current global SAF production represents only a small fraction of the industry's total fuel consumption. The primary obstacle has been scaling production to be both voluminous and cost-competitive.

Facilities like LanzaJet's Freedom Pines plant are critical to overcoming this challenge. By proving the commercial viability of the ATJ pathway, the company provides a scalable model that can be replicated globally. LanzaJet's own announcement on the plant's opening detailed its vision for a new generation of fuel solutions.

Why This Matters

The RFA's award to LanzaJet signifies more than just corporate recognition; it marks a crucial validation of the ethanol-to-jet fuel pathway as a scalable and immediate solution for aviation's environmental challenges. This development directly enables the use of existing, large-scale ethanol infrastructure to produce SAF, potentially accelerating the industry's transition away from fossil fuels. For airlines, it signals a broadening of future SAF supply chains, and for the agricultural sector, it opens a significant new market for its products.

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