LanzaTech Global, a company specializing in carbon recycling to produce sustainable fuels, chemicals, and materials, and LanzaJet, Inc., a leading developer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technology and production, have launched CirculAir™. This joint offering aims to convert waste carbon and renewable power into SAF, significantly advancing the decarbonization of the global aviation industry. CirculAir represents a breakthrough in providing a cost-effective alternative to Fischer-Tropsch technology for creating eFuels, Power-to-Liquids (PtL), and Waste-to-Fuels. It utilizes an ASTM-approved SAF production pathway that employs ethanol as a biointermediate and Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology to produce SAF and Renewable Diesel (RD).
CirculAir is a comprehensive technology solution that transforms nearly any waste source—including municipal solid waste (MSW), agricultural residues, industrial and refining emissions, carbon dioxide (CO2) through direct air capture, and renewable power—into SAF. By integrating LanzaTech’s gas fermentation technology to convert diverse waste resources into CarbonSmart™ ethanol, followed by LanzaJet’s ATJ technology to convert ethanol into drop-in SAF, CirculAir enables the aviation industry to produce waste-based SAF on a global scale. This SAF production process is expected to reduce aviation emissions by at least 85% and can achieve carbon negative outcomes depending on the feedstock used.
SAF is projected to play a crucial role in reducing aviation emissions by 65-70% overall by 2050 to achieve net-zero emissions, making it essential for the industry’s sustainability efforts. However, traditional supply limitations, high costs, and technical challenges have hindered SAF adoption as the primary aviation fuel. CirculAir aims to overcome these obstacles by enabling the conversion of a wide range of waste-based feedstocks into SAF, thereby accelerating production and achieving economies of scale necessary to lower global SAF costs.
Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet, commented on the significance of CirculAir: “CirculAir introduces a revolutionary pathway to utilize carbon and waste resources globally, along with emerging renewable power and CO2 from direct air capture, to economically and commercially produce SAF. Our collaboration with LanzaTech spans across continents, and CirculAir represents a pioneering opportunity to establish domestic SAF supplies worldwide by converting waste sources or recycled carbon into SAF using our ASTM-approved ethanol-to-SAF process.”
LanzaJet and LanzaTech, despite being independent entities, have a history of successful collaboration in advancing emerging technologies and scaling nascent industries. They currently collaborate on various projects worldwide, including locations in Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech and Board Chair of LanzaJet, highlighted the transformative potential of their joint technology: “With over 100 billion gallons of fossil fuel-derived jet fuel consumed annually, our joint technology can replace this with 100 billion gallons of reliable jet fuel sourced from recycled carbon. By launching CirculAir, LanzaTech and LanzaJet affirm that abundant, versatile waste carbon can meet global travel demands while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.”
