(SOPERTON, GA) — LanzaJet Inc. said Thursday it has begun full operations at its Freedom Pines Fuels plant in Soperton, Georgia, becoming the first commercial-scale facility in the world to produce jet fuel from ethanol. Company officials called the milestone a major step for the aviation sector as it seeks alternatives to conventional petroleum-based fuels.
The announcement follows 15 years of research, investment and development of LanzaJet’s Alcohol-to-Jet technology, which converts ethanol into sustainable aviation fuel. The company said the breakthrough comes as traditional bio-oil feedstocks used for renewable jet fuel near their production limits. CEO Jimmy Samartzis said the launch shows how innovation and collaboration can create a new industry and provide “a major win for global aviation.”
He said the technology offers countries a way to strengthen agricultural markets, expand domestic fuel production and improve energy security. LanzaJet says its process can be scaled globally by tapping widely available ethanol sources, including waste-based supplies.
