Metafuels Raises $24M to Advance e-SAF Commercialization

Aviation technology startup Metafuels has secured $24 million in a Series A funding round to advance the commercialization of its sustainable aviation fuel technology. The investment, led by UVC Partners, targets the scaling of a process that converts green methanol into cost-competitive synthetic jet fuel, a critical step in developing solutions to help decarbonize the aviation sector.

Technology and Market Impact

The company’s focus is on electro-Sustainable Aviation Fuel (e-SAF), a synthetic fuel produced using renewable electricity, captured carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. Metafuels employs a Methanol-to-Jet (MtJ) process, which is regarded as an efficient and scalable pathway for producing e-SAF. This investment in sustainable aviation fuel technology highlights a broader industry shift towards scalable solutions beyond traditional biofuels. Most current Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is derived from hydrotreated esters and fatty acids (HEFA), which rely on limited feedstocks. In contrast, e-SAF's use of renewable power and CO2 offers a more viable long-term solution for aviation decarbonization.

Funding and Future Plans

Founded in 2021, Metafuels will allocate the new capital to support the development of a demonstration plant in Switzerland. The funding also advances plans for a future commercial-scale production facility at the Port of Rotterdam, a strategic location for global energy distribution. According to SAF+ International Group, e-SAF can reduce an aircraft's carbon footprint by over 90% on a lifecycle basis compared to conventional jet fuel. Current regulations allow e-SAF to be blended up to 50% with traditional kerosene.

Regulatory and Market Context

This development aligns with significant market growth and regulatory pressure. The global SAF market was valued at approximately USD 1.16 billion to USD 1.7 billion in 2024, according to reports from Global Market Insights and Market Research Future. Mandates such as the European Union's ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, which targets 70% SAF usage at EU airports by 2050, are accelerating demand. The successful deployment of the Metafuels demonstration plant is expected to be a key milestone toward achieving cost-competitive commercial viability for its e-SAF production technology.

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