United Airlines has announced a joint venture with LanzaTech, a sustainable fuel producer, to develop a low-carbon aviation fuel using ethanol, as reported by Reuters on January 31. The two companies will partner to convert industrial carbon emissions into ethanol, which can then be blended into conventional jet fuel. The goal is to create a sustainable, scalable source of fuel for commercial aviation and reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. The joint venture, which is the first of its kind, will be headquartered in the United States and aims to produce at least 100m gallons of the sustainable fuel per year. The fuel will be produced at LanzaTech’s carbon capture and utilization facilities, with the first gallons expected to be delivered in 2025.
This move is part of United Airlines’ commitment to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050. The airline has also set a goal to have net-zero emissions by 2050, which includes the use of sustainable fuels, fleet electrification, and carbon offsets. The aviation industry has come under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint and find alternative fuel sources. This joint venture represents a significant step forward in the development of sustainable aviation fuels, which are seen as a crucial part of the solution to reducing the industry’s environmental impact.