United Airlines investing in SAF

It is great to see that United Airlines has taken a proactive step towards reducing their carbon footprint by investing in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) start-up Twelve. 

Twelve's innovative technology combines carbon capture with CO₂ electrolysis to generate SAF from CO₂, water and renewable energy. It is reported to be highly sustainable, with the potential to reduce emissions by up to 90% over its lifecycle compared to conventional jet fuel. This level of carbon reduction would clearly have a significant impact on the emissions associated with the aviation industry if it were widely adopted.

The partnership between United Airlines and Twelve is a 14-year agreement that involves the delivery of 260 million gallons of SAF. It is therefore a long-term investment that should allow Twelve to get established and be a major player in the field. The investment is supported by a recent investment from the Sustainable Flight Fund, and will initially be used to develop Twelve’s first SAF production facility, AirPlant™ One. The plant will be located in Moses Lake, Washington and will aim to produce 50,000 gallons of SAF a year.  

This exciting news comes ahead of the Sustainable Skies 2025 world summit in Farnborough later this week, where there will hopefully be some more exciting announcements. If anyone attending the event is interested in IP, my colleague Dominic O'Connor will be providing a session about the benefits of IP in obtaining investment, and would be happy to answer your questions. 

The agreement includes the delivery of 260 million gallons of SAF, one of the largest SAF deals ever signed. This partnership marks a crucial development in reducing United’s carbon emissions and aligns with the airline’s broader strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century.

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