United Airlines has signed a long-term agreement with clean energy company Twelve to use a new kind of jet fuel made from carbon dioxide and water. This partnership is one of the largest of its kind, with United set to receive 260 million gallons of the new fuel over the next 14 years. The fuel, called sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), is meant to help reduce pollution from airplanes, reports Travel and Tour World.
Twelve’s technology works by turning carbon dioxide and water into jet fuel using renewable energy. The company says this fuel can cut pollution by up to 90% compared to traditional jet fuel. United’s deal with Twelve is part of its larger goal to stop adding carbon pollution to the atmosphere by the middle of the century.
The fuel will be produced at Twelve’s first facility, called AirPlant One, located in Moses Lake, Washington. The plant is expected to begin operations later this year, starting with 50,000 gallons of fuel per year. Funding for the project has come from the Sustainable Flight Fund, which has raised more than $200 million to support clean aviation efforts.
Twelve’s agreement with United is a major step in showing that this new type of fuel can be made and used on a large scale. The company has also received money from investors to help build its factory and continue developing its fuel technology.
Twelve’s work goes beyond just aviation. Its system, called Opus, can also make other fuels and materials used in everyday products, all from carbon dioxide and renewable energy. This approach could help reduce pollution in many industries, not just air travel.
For United Airlines, this partnership helps show it is serious about cutting pollution from its flights. For Twelve, it’s a chance to prove that its new fuel can work at a larger level and make a difference. With more pressure on the airline industry to lower emissions, deals like this could become more common as companies look for new ways to fly cleaner.
