US tech firm plans €500m sustainable aviation fuel plant in Ghent

US clean-tech company LanzaTech plans to invest €500 million in a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant in the port of Ghent, Belgium. The project would be the first commercial facility in Europe to produce large-scale synthetic jet fuel using alcohol-to-jet technology.

The factory is expected to produce 79,000 tonnes of SAF and 9,000 tonnes of renewable diesel each year, while creating around 50 jobs. The investment still depends on permits and a final decision by the company.

LanzaTech plans to use ethanol from nearby industrial sites, including ArcelorMittal’s Steelanol plant in Ghent, which turns steel industry waste gases into ethanol.

Chief executive Jennifer Holmgren said Ghent was chosen because of its strong industrial network and transport infrastructure. She added that most early studies have been completed and agreements for raw material supply are already in place.

The project is part of the FLITE consortium and receives support from the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme. It is also designed to meet international and European standards for sustainable aviation fuel.

European airlines are being required to gradually increase the amount of SAF blended into traditional jet fuel as part of efforts to cut aviation emissions.

^{#FlandersNewsService | ArcelorMittal’s Steelanol plant in Ghent © BELGA PHOTO JONAS D'HOLLANDER}