Metafuels Raises $24M to Scale Synthetic Aviation Fuel Technology

Zurich-based aviation technology company 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 and Plural, will support the development of a demonstration plant and engineering for a full-scale production facility, aiming to provide a cost-competitive alternative to fossil-based jet fuel.

The financing round saw participation from existing investors Energy Impact Partners (EIP), Contrarian Ventures, RockCreek, Verve Ventures, and Fortescue Ventures. The capital injection is a critical step for Metafuels as it works to scale its proprietary “aerobrew” process, a Methanol-to-Jet (MtJ) technology designed to convert renewable methanol into Electro-Sustainable Aviation Fuel (e-SAF). E-SAF is a type of synthetic fuel produced using renewable electricity, captured carbon dioxide, and water. According to Startupticker.ch, the company’s process can achieve up to 90% lower lifecycle emissions than conventional kerosene.

This development comes as the aviation industry, which accounts for over 2% of global CO2 emissions, faces increasing pressure to decarbonize. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is widely regarded as the most viable near-to-medium-term solution for reducing the sector's climate impact.

Technology and Strategic Plans

Metafuels' core technology focuses on the Methanol-to-Jet (MtJ) pathway, an emerging process for producing synthetic fuels. This method is considered an alternative to more established pathways like Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and is noted for its high yield and minimal byproduct formation. The company's goal is to make e-SAF a scalable and economically viable option for airlines.

“If sustainable aviation fuel is to become a true alternative to fossil jet fuel, it has to work at industrial scale and competitive cost,” said Saurabh Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer of Metafuels. “With aerobrew, we are building a technology that allows airlines to decarbonize without changing how they operate, with the potential to reshape the future of flight.”

The newly raised funds are earmarked for two primary objectives. First, the company will build a technology demonstration plant at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland. This facility will serve to validate the aerobrew process at a larger scale. Second, the capital will be used to advance the Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) for a commercial-scale e-SAF facility. This planned plant, named 'Turbe,' is slated for development at the Port of Rotterdam, a major European industrial and logistics hub.

Industry Context and Regulatory Drivers

The investment in Metafuels aligns with a broader industry trend of increased funding for SAF and e-fuel technologies. The global sustainable aviation fuel market was valued at USD 2.72 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow significantly to USD 40.09 billion by 2034. This growth is propelled by both corporate climate commitments and stringent regulatory mandates.

Initiatives such as the European Union's ReFuelEU Aviation regulation are creating guaranteed long-term demand for SAF. The regulation mandates a progressive increase in SAF blending at EU airports, starting at 2% in 2025 and rising to 70% by 2050. Such policies provide market certainty for producers and investors.

While biofuels produced via the HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) pathway currently dominate SAF production, concerns over feedstock availability and sustainability are driving intense interest in synthetic fuels. E-fuels like those produced by Metafuels are not dependent on biomass and offer a pathway to producing vast quantities of fuel using renewable energy and captured carbon, mitigating competition for land and resources.

What Comes Next

With the Series A funding secured, Metafuels will focus on executing its near-term milestones. The immediate priority is the construction and commissioning of the demonstration plant at PSI in Switzerland. Successful operation of this plant will be crucial for de-risking the technology ahead of commercial deployment.

Concurrently, the company will proceed with the FEED study for its 'Turbe' facility in Rotterdam. This engineering phase is a critical precursor to a final investment decision and the eventual construction of the plant. The timeline for these projects was not disclosed, but they represent the company's clear roadmap from technology development to industrial-scale production.

Why This Matters

This funding round is significant as it validates the commercial potential of the Methanol-to-Jet pathway for e-SAF production. It highlights investor confidence in synthetic fuels as a long-term solution for aviation decarbonization, moving beyond the limitations of first-generation biofuels. For the aviation industry, the success of companies like Metafuels is critical to meeting ambitious net-zero emissions targets and ensuring a sustainable future for air travel.

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