SAF developer LanzaJet attracts Airbus as backer

US sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technology LanzaJet has attracted yet another backer, European aircraft maker Airbus SE (EPA:AIR), which has agreed to make a strategic investment to help it scale the production and deployment of its product, the parties announced on Wednesday.

Airbus' investment was made as part of LanzaJet's recent growth equity funding round, which attracted support from companies like Southwest Airlines, Microsoft, Groupe ADP and MUFG. Financial details were not provided.

“Sustainable aviation fuels are one of the most important levers available to decarbonise aviation, but their production is still limited. Our partnership with LanzaJet demonstrates Airbus' commitment to work with leading energy technology suppliers to explore innovative production pathways and scale SAF," said Julie Kitcher, chief sustainability officer at Airbus.

Illinois-based LanzaJet has developed a patented ethanol-based alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology. It is currently working on a project for commercial-scale production of ethanol-to-SAF at LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels plant in the US.

Founded in 2020, the company also counts among its backers All Nippon Airways (ANA), Breakthrough Energy, British Airways, LanzaTech, Shell, and Suncor Energy.

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