LanzaTech plans announced for Wales’ first Sustainable Aviation Fuel production in Port Talbot

Rhea-AI Summary

LanzaTech UK Ltd has proposed Wales' first carbon recycling facilities in Port Talbot, aiming to convert emissions into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The initiative, known as Project Dragon, seeks planning permission for a commercial-scale Alcohol-to-Jet facility designed to supply around 1% of the UK’s jet fuel needs, reducing aviation's climate impact by over 70%. Funded by a £25 million grant from the Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund, construction is set to begin in 2025. LanzaTech's innovative processes will employ a naturally occurring organism to convert greenhouse gases into sustainable ethanol. The project represents a significant step towards the UK's net zero goals, fostering long-term green jobs and revitalizing the local economy.

Positive

• Project Dragon aims to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel, supporting UK net zero goals.
• The facility is expected to supply approximately 1% of the UK's jet fuel needs.
• The project is supported by a £25 million grant from the Department for Transport's Advanced Fuels Fund.
• LanzaTech's process promises over 70% emission reduction in aviation.

Negative

• None.

Proposed facilities leverage area’s industrial heritage to recycle waste carbon into sustainable aviation fuel and support UK climate goals

GUILDFORD, United Kingdom, April 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LanzaTech UK Ltd, a subsidiary of LanzaTech Global, Inc. (Nasdaq: LNZA) (“LanzaTech” or the “Company”) has announced plans for Wales’ first carbon recycling facilities in and around Port Talbot that would transform emissions into Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The pioneering ‘Project Dragon’ aims to reduce emissions from industry and help facilitate lower emission flying.

Building on the area’s industrial strength, the facilities enable Neath Port Talbot to play a leading role in creating carbon reduction industries in South Wales critical to delivering the UK’s net zero economy and tackling the climate emergency.

LanzaTech is initially seeking planning permission for a ground-breaking commercial scale Alcohol-to-Jet facility that would supply around 1% of the UK’s jet fuel needs. The facility is expected to convert sustainable ethanol, via the LanzaJet™ Alcohol-to-Jet Process™, into sustainable aviation fuel which reduces the climate impact of flying by more than 70%. To produce the ethanol for the Alcohol-to-Jet plant, a second facility is planned which uses a naturally occurring organism that transforms greenhouse gases to ethanol as part of its natural life cycle. With a World Health Organization Risk Group Rating the same as baker’s yeast, this nature-based solution creates valuable raw materials that would otherwise come from virgin fossil inputs. The details of this second facility would be progressed through a separate planning application when the location is confirmed.

Aviation is one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise and, to accelerate the project, LanzaTech has received £25 million of support from the Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund. Subject to planning permission, construction of the Alcohol-to-Jet facility is expected to begin in 2025 with production starting in 2026/7.

Remarking on this news, Jim Woodger, LanzaTech UK Ltd. Managing Director, said, “LanzaTech is thrilled to announce its plans to transform derelict land in Port Talbot into the site for Wales first sustainable aviation fuel production. The rich industrial heritage of the region will be maintained through new innovative technologies like these which transform industrial waste gases into valuable products and create long-term, skilled jobs.”

LanzaTech will be sharing further details of its plans for the Alcohol-to-Jet facility as these develop in the coming months, and are keen to receive feedback from members of the local Port Talbot community including through a new project website which launched today at www.lanzadragon.wales. A full planning application for the Alcohol-to-Jet facility is being prepared and will be submitted later this year. A location for the second facility converting wastes to sustainable ethanol is still being identified. Once this is finalised a second planning application will be submitted.

Ben Burggraaf, CEO of Net Zero Industry Wales, added, “We are delighted to see LanzaTech’s project progress within the wider South Wales Industrial Cluster. Together with the successful Celtic Freeport bid and the shortlisting of Hanson’s capture and storage project in North Wales, Industry is now creating skilled, long-term and green jobs in Wales.”

LanzaTech’s announcement coincides with the release of a new roadmap for net zero aviation by Sustainable Aviation. The report identifies sustainable aviation fuels as the key immediate opportunity to reduce aviation's greenhouse gas emissions and as playing a major role in reaching net-zero aviation by 2050. The roadmap is being released at a major conference and exhibition on zero emission aviation at Farnborough.

ENDS

Notes to editor

For media enquiries please contact Emily Bell (emily.bell@turley.co.uk / +44 7919 302 471)

Consultation events will be taking place over the summer. Further project detail is available on the dedicated project website www.lanzadragon.wales.

Further information about the Sustainable Aviation roadmap to net zero emissions are available at www.sustainableaviation.co.uk.

About LanzaTech

Headquartered in Skokie, Illinois, US, LanzaTech Global, Inc. (Nasdaq: LNZA), transforms waste carbon into materials such as sustainable fuels, fabrics, packaging, and other products. Using a variety of waste feedstocks, LanzaTech’s technology platform highlights a future where consumers are not dependent on virgin fossil feedstocks for everything in their daily lives. LanzaTech’s goal is to challenge and change the way the world uses carbon, enabling a new circular carbon economy where carbon is reused rather than wasted, skies and oceans are kept clean, and pollution becomes a thing of the past. For more information about LanzaTech visit: https://lanzatech.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding LanzaTech based on the beliefs and assumptions of its management. Although LanzaTech believes that its plans, intentions, and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, LanzaTech cannot assure you that it will achieve or realize these plans, intentions, or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. You should not put undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. LanzaTech undertakes no obligations to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

FAQ

What is Project Dragon by LanzaTech?

Project Dragon is LanzaTech's initiative to create carbon recycling facilities in Port Talbot, producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

When is the construction of LanzaTech's Alcohol-to-Jet facility expected to start?

Construction is expected to begin in 2025, with production starting in 2026/7.

How much of the UK's jet fuel needs will LanzaTech's facility supply?

The facility aims to supply around 1% of the UK's jet fuel needs.

What funding has LanzaTech received for its sustainable aviation fuel project?

LanzaTech has received £25 million from the Department for Transport's Advanced Fuels Fund.

What is the environmental impact of the Alcohol-to-Jet process?

The process is expected to reduce the climate impact of flying by more than 70%.