LanzaJet selects Teesside’s Wilton International in UK for its next SAF production facility

LanzaJet announced Jan. 22 the selection of the site for its next production facility, Project Speedbird, in Teesside’s Wilton International. 

LanzaJet has partnered with Sembcorp Utilities (U.K.) Ltd., a wholly owned entity of Sembcorp Industries Ltd., to develop an ethanol-to-SAF facility at Wilton International in Teesside, U.K. 

Through a collaboration with British Airways, Project Speedbird will produce over 90,000 metric tons (30 million gallons) of SAF and renewable diesel annually. 

Project Speedbird, a recipient of grant funding by the U.K. government under the Advanced Fuels Fund, is likely to generate significant regional benefits and create around 30 highly skilled, long-term roles within LanzaJet’s operations, according to the company.  

The fuel produced is expected to reduce the net carbon-dioxide emissions by approximately 230,000 tons per year, equivalent to 26,000 British Airways domestic flights in the U.K. 

“Wilton International was selected for its strategic location and advanced infrastructure, essential for SAF production,” said LanzaJet CEO Jimmy Samartzis. “This selection underscores Teesside’s pivotal role in the U.K.’s energy transition and industrial decarbonization efforts. By leveraging Wilton International’s capabilities, the project enhances the region’s status as a leader in alternative-energy initiatives, contributing significantly to the U.K.’s clean-energy objectives. Through our collaboration with British Airways, we are building a local supply chain for SAF—a critical solution for reducing lifecycle net-carbon emissions in aviation—while supporting the U.K.’s ambition to lead the energy transition. Project Speedbird demonstrates the potential of aligning technology, investment and partnerships to address the aviation industry’s carbon emissions.”  

The facility will utilize LanzaJet’s proprietary alcohol-to-jet technology, deployed at its Freedom Pines Fuels facility in Georgia (U.S.), the world’s first commercial ethanol-to-SAF production plant.  

Project Speedbird will produce SAF from sustainably sourced ethanol.  

Project Speedbird will also establish key collaborations across the region to further bolster the local economy. 

“We are delighted that LanzaJet has selected Wilton International in Teesside as the site for Project Speedbird,” said Carrie Harris, the director of sustainability at British Airways. “This milestone paves the way for the next stage of this innovative project, which is an important step towards scaling up sustainable aviation fuel production in the U.K. SAF will be crucial in helping us reach our net-zero goals by 2050, and this development marks significant progress towards producing U.K. SAF, whilst also supporting local communities and creating green jobs.”  

Mike Patrick, the CEO of Sembcorp Energy U.K., added, “We are pleased to welcome LanzaJet to our Wilton International site in Teesside. By providing ready-to-go infrastructure, energy and utilities services, we support their efforts in developing sustainable and low-carbon solutions. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to accelerating the U.K.’s energy transition and industrial decarbonization. We look forward to partnering with LanzaJet as they play a pivotal role in transforming the aviation sector towards net zero.”