Firefly, Synagro partner for SAF production from biosolids in North America

Firefly Green Fuels and Synagro Technologies Inc. have partnered to bring Firefly’s novel fuel-production techniques to the American market.

Synagro, a provider of sustainable solutions for biosolids, organics and residuals, has agreed to be the exclusive supplier of the biosolids feedstock used in Firefly’s innovative process.

Firefly has developed a unique process to turn biosolids into a product slate of sustainable, high-performance fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The company uses a process known as hydrothermal liquefaction, which chemically alters the biosolids waste, breaking it down into biocrude and biochar.

The crude is then upgraded into SAF, and the remaining biochar goes to various uses.

“We are extremely excited to work with Synagro on this next phase of Firefly’s development,” said James Hygate, the CEO of Firefly Green Fuels. “There is a huge future need for SAF in North America, and by working together we can bring operations online quickly, creating new jobs and vast volumes of truly sustainable fuel.”

As outlined in its inaugural sustainability report, growing sustainably is at the heart of Synagro’s business and is central to its purpose as a company.

Expanding into natural and innovative adjacencies is key to its growth as a business, Synagro stated, adding that its purpose to have a net positive impact on both people and the planet.

“This is a perfect partnership with monumental implications,” said Synagro CEO Bob Preston. “We’re pairing Synagro’s expertise in sustainable solutions for biosolids with Firefly’s SAF technology to evolve the circular economy.”

Independent analysis by Cranfield University has shown that Firefly’s SAF offers a significant 92 percent CO2e saving versus fossil jet fuel.

“Both of our companies’ commitments on sustainability run parallel,” said Kip Cleverley, Synagro’s chief sustainability officer and chief communications officer. “Combining our strengths will have a net positive and circular impact on the planet and its inhabitants. This is the future, and we’re both passionate about leading the way.”

The two companies are working together to prove out the technology in North America and secure additional participants.

Firefly is currently building a first-of-a-kind facility in Harwich, England, and expects to expand into North America in the near future.