Which Sustainable Aviation Fuel Startup Just Secured Investment from United Airlines?

United Airlines has invested in cleantech company Twelve. This investment was made through the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund. Twelve focuses on carbon transformation technology. This supports United’s strategy to secure long-term SAF supply.

United's Decarbonization Strategy

United Airlines is committed to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This goal excludes the use of traditional carbon offsets. The airline established the Sustainable Flight Fund in 2023. This fund supports startups developing new aviation fuel technology. It now holds over $200 million in commitments. Partners include Embraer, GE Aerospace, and Google. United has also invested in Alder Renewables (formerly Alder Fuels). That deal included a massive 1.5 billion gallon SAF purchase agreement. This was the largest publicly announced SAF agreement at the time.

Advancing Alternative Jet Fuel

Twelve’s technology is a form of synthetic photosynthesis. It uses captured carbon dioxide (CO2) and water. Renewable energy powers this conversion process. The resulting alternative jet fuel has great potential. It could reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%. Twelve is building its first production facility, AirPlant One. This plant is located in Moses Lake, Washington. Initial production is targeted at 50,000 gallons of SAF annually.

Industry Context and Challenges

The aviation industry is under pressure for reducing carbon emissions. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) aims for net-zero by 2050. SAF is expected to account for 65% of this effort. However, limited availability remains a major obstacle. Global SAF production capacity is rapidly increasing. It reached 4.4 million tonnes per year in 2024, doubling 2023 capacity. Yet, demand is still expected to outstrip the SAF startup investment supply by 2030.

Market growth projections are very strong for sustainable aviation fuel. The global market is projected to reach $25.62 billion by 2030. This represents a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 65.5%. North America is currently the largest market for SAF.

United’s investment highlights the need for new pathways. It helps scale production beyond existing solutions. This is crucial for the future of air travel and commercial aviation decarbonization.

• The airline has invested in the future production of over five billion gallons of SAF.
• This is more than any other airline globally.
• The Sustainable Flight Fund provides both financial and strategic capital to startups.
• United's efforts are key to building a new sustainable aviation ecosystem.

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