LanzaJet announces strategic investment from MUFG, Japan’s leading financial group

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producer and technology provider LanzaJet announced June 25 an investment from Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., one of the world’s leading financial groups with total assets of approximately $2.9 trillion.

The investment enables LanzaJet to continue building its capability and capacity to deploy its proprietary ethanol-to-SAF process technology.

“We continue to build a leading team of investors along the SAF value chain who believe in LanzaJet’s ability to decarbonize aviation, which will both address climate change and enable the global economy,” said LanzaJet CEO Jimmy Samartzis. ​“The investment from MUFG further enables LanzaJet’s efforts to scale SAF production, with one of the world’s leading financial groups enabling the development of infrastructure globally.”

MUFG’s investment is part of LanzaJet’s current $100 million growth-equity funding round, with support from leading companies across industries and around the world.

In the past few months, LanzaJet has announced investments from Southwest Airlines, Microsoft, Groupe ADP and now MUFG.

While SAF production continues to scale, LanzaJet maintains its role in developing the industry by continuing its work building the ecosystem required to decarbonize aviation through SAF.

LanzaJet continues to be at the forefront by commercializing its next generation ethanol-to-SAF technology and opening its fully funded LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels biorefinery—the world’s first commercial-scale ethanol-to-SAF plant.

Located in the United States, the historic plant will produce SAF and renewable diesel from low-carbon and sustainable ethanol and achieve International Sustainability and Carbon Certification. 

“MUFG is deeply committed to redefining the future of finance by prioritizing innovative and sustainable industry solutions,” said Koichiro Oshima, the managing executive officer and head of the financial-solutions group at MUFG Bank Ltd. “Our strategic support for LanzaJet is a prime example of this commitment, signifying our belief in the critical role of sustainable fuels for the economic and environmental well-being of the businesses we serve. This partnership not only aligns with our mission to drive progress but also showcases our dedication to catalyzing positive change. By investing in sustainable pathways, we aim to ensure the resilience and success of our stakeholders, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.”

In addition to MUFG, LanzaJet’s portfolio of investors and funders includes All Nippon Airways, Breakthrough Energy, British Airways, Groupe ADP, LanzaTech, Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund, Mitsui & Co., Shell, Southwest Airlines and Suncor Energy.