LanzaTech's £600m Sustainable Fuel Facility Targets Humberside: Can UK Aviation Go Green?

Global clean fuels company LanzaTech has selected Humberside for a major new project. The company plans a £600 million investment in a large-scale facility. This plant will produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The project is named DRAGON II and targets the UK low-carbon aviation sector.

LanzaTech confirmed the location is the Saltend Chemicals Park in Humberside. This site was chosen after a comprehensive UK-wide assessment. The park offers established industrial infrastructure and deep-water jetty access. This makes it ideal for large-scale fuel production.

Advancing UK Low-Carbon Aviation

The DRAGON II project is a significant step forward. It directly supports the UK’s goal to decarbonize air travel. The facility is expected to be operational by 2030. This timeline aligns with the UK’s ambitious SAF mandate.

This mandate requires 10% of jet fuel to be SAF by 2030. The mandate is a key driver for domestic SAF production. The UK government aims for 1.2 million tonnes of SAF annually by 2030.

Production and Capacity

The LanzaTech SAF facility is designed for high output. It is expected to manufacture approximately 80,000 tonnes of SAF annually. This volume is equivalent to about 1% of the UK’s current jet fuel demand. The plant will also produce 8,000 tonnes of renewable diesel.

This output will make the DRAGON II project one of the largest UK SAF contributors. It provides a crucial domestic supply source for airlines. Airlines need this supply to meet their mandated blending targets.

Technology and Economic Impact

The facility will use the LanzaJet Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ) technology. This proven process converts ethanol into drop-in jet fuel. The ethanol feedstock is created using LanzaTech’s gas fermentation technology.

This innovative process converts waste carbon dioxide and green hydrogen into ethanol. This makes the resulting Power-to-Liquid SAF a low-carbon fuel pathway. The approach is key to developing sustainable, non-biomass-reliant feedstocks.

Investment and Jobs

The £600 million investment highlights the scale of this project. It also underscores the commitment to commercial aviation sustainability. The development will deliver substantial economic benefits to the Humberside region.

• The construction phase will create around 300 skilled jobs.
• A further 150 permanent roles will be created once the plant is operational.

Challenges and The Future of Jet Fuel

The decarbonization of air travel faces significant challenges. SAF production is currently costly compared to traditional jet fuel. Securing consistent, low-cost feedstock is also a major hurdle.

Projects like DRAGON II are vital for scaling up production. They help drive down costs through industrial efficiency. The UK Government supports these efforts with funding and the SAF mandate.

This new LanzaTech SAF facility is part of a wider program. It is complemented by the DRAGON I facility planned for Port Talbot, South Wales. Together, these projects aim to secure the future of jet fuel supply in the UK. They demonstrate a commitment to net-zero goals across the aviation sector. The success of DRAGON II is critical for the UK's 2030 climate targets. The facility will help the UK become a leader in green industrial technology. This is essential for long-term energy security and global aviation's transition to net zero. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stresses the need for such large-scale projects globally to meet the industry's 2050 net-zero goal.

The UK Department for Transport (UK Government) views domestic SAF production as a priority. This strategic focus is designed to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. It also supports the commercial aviation sustainability transition.

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