UK sustainable aviation fuel developer Nova Pangaea Technologies has successfully completed extended trials at its Teesside demonstration plant, strengthening the validation of its technology to convert waste biomass into sustainable aviation fuel. The trials, using softwood residues from timber processing, achieved stable operation for up to 72 hours and delivered yields above the company’s targets, Green Air reported.
The company said the trials used softwood residues from timber processing and demonstrated stable, continuous operation for production runs of up to 72 hours. The trials also delivered yields above the company’s targets.
Nova Pangaea is working with British Airways and LanzaJet under Project Speedbird to develop carbon-negative aviation fuel using locally available waste biomass. The company plans to build four facilities in the UK to produce bioethanol that can subsequently be converted into SAF.
Nova Pangaea’s REFNOVA process converts waste biomass and residues, including wood chips, sawdust and wheat straw, into ethanol. The ethanol can be used to produce SAF and renewable diesel. The process also generates biochar, which can permanently store carbon. According to the company, this could allow the overall process to remove more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits.
During the latest trials, Nova Pangaea conducted several production runs using up to three tonnes of feedstock a day. The trials followed smaller-scale tests carried out in early 2025, which demonstrated that the process could operate successfully beyond laboratory conditions.
The company plans to conduct further trials next year to refine the design of its first commercial-scale facility.
“The latest trials have validated our technology and should further underpin the confidence of investors on our journey towards building this first commercial plant,” said Stewart Stewart, who became Nova Pangaea’s CEO earlier this year after working at New York-based investment bank Javelin Capital, where he advised on green fuel opportunities.
The company said it has raised more than £21 million ($28 million) from investors including International Airlines Group, PXN Ventures, Mercia Ventures and the first Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. It has also received government grant funding through the Advanced Fuels Fund competition.
Stewart said using the UK’s available waste biomass could help increase SAF production while strengthening energy security and creating a new domestic industry.
“By tapping into the plentiful supplies of waste biomass, we can boost SAF production – enhancing our energy security and building a new domestic industry that generates jobs and revenues while reducing fossil fuel emissions,” he said.
Project Speedbird targets 90,000 tonnes annually
Project Speedbird is expected to eventually produce 90,000 tonnes of SAF and renewable diesel a year. Nova Pangaea estimates that the project could reduce net carbon dioxide emissions by up to 541,800 tonnes annually on a lifecycle basis.
British Airways is a founding investor and shareholder in LanzaJet, a US-based SAF producer. LanzaJet’s technology converts second-generation ethanol made from materials such as agricultural residues and woody biomass into aviation fuel and will be used as part of Project Speedbird.
Meanwhile, the UK Department for Transport has published an updated list of feedstocks that qualify under the country’s SAF Mandate. The list includes wastes and residues that can be used to produce eligible low-carbon fuels and is divided into categories, with the names and descriptions of the materials provided.
The department’s updated feedstock list provides further clarity on the types of waste and residue materials that can qualify under the UK’s SAF policy.
