Carbon Neutral Fuels partners with Johnson Matthey and Honeywell to advance UK Project Starling, boosting sustainable aviation fuel production capacity.
Carbon Neutral Fuels (CNF), a UK-based company focused on developing sustainable e-fuels, has announced a significant step forward in its flagship initiative, Project Starling, by selecting advanced technologies from Johnson Matthey and Honeywell. The project will integrate Johnson Matthey and bp’s FT CANS™ technology along with Honeywell UOP’s Fischer-Tropsch (FT) Unicracking process to support the development of a cutting-edge Power-to-Liquid (PtL) e-fuels facility in Workington, United Kingdom.
Project Starling is designed to transform captured carbon dioxide and water into synthetic kerosene, also known as Fischer-Tropsch Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (FT-SPK). This synthetic fuel can be blended with conventional jet fuel to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Once operational, the facility is expected to generate up to 25,000 tons of SAF annually, contributing to efforts to decarbonize the aviation sector.
The timeline for the project outlines construction beginning in 2028, with commercial production anticipated by 2031. Notably, Project Starling is set to become the first initiative in the UK to explore the use of wastewater as a feedstock in SAF production, marking an innovative approach within the e-fuels industry. The process involves converting synthesis gas—derived from captured CO2—into synthetic crude oil using FT CANS technology. This intermediate product is then refined through Honeywell’s FT Unicracking process to produce high-quality synthetic kerosene suitable for blending into aviation fuel.
Sophie Zienkiewicz, Co-founder of Carbon Neutral Fuels, emphasized the importance of the project in demonstrating that large-scale aviation decarbonization is both technically feasible and economically sustainable. She highlighted that collaboration with globally recognized technology providers enables the development of a facility capable of achieving over 95% lifecycle emissions reductions compared to traditional jet fuel. The initiative also aims to position the UK as a leader in sustainable e-fuels innovation.
The partnership reflects a strategic alignment of complementary technologies to enable efficient and scalable SAF production. Alberto Giovanzana, Managing Director of Licensing at Johnson Matthey, noted that deploying FT CANS technology at Project Starling showcases how advanced catalysts and process solutions can drive the next generation of sustainable fuels. He added that collaboration across industry players is essential to accelerating the transition toward lower-carbon aviation.
Similarly, Rajesh Gattupalli, President of Honeywell UOP, underscored the advantages of FT Unicracking technology in delivering flexibility, efficiency, and cost-effective upgrading of synthetic feedstocks into premium transportation fuels. He expressed confidence that Honeywell’s involvement will support the successful advancement of Project Starling and contribute to expanding global SAF production capacity.
With global demand for sustainable aviation fuel projected to surge dramatically—from 344 million gallons today to approximately 7.6 billion gallons over the next decade Carbon Neutral Fuels is actively pursuing partnerships with airlines, fuel suppliers, and other stakeholders. These collaborations aim to establish long-term offtake agreements and unlock further development opportunities, ensuring the commercial viability and scalability of SAF solutions.
