LanzaTech receives UK grant to advance SAF projects, integrating waste carbon technologies to support decarbonization and net-zero goals in aviation.
LanzaTech Global, Inc., a leading innovator in carbon management technologies, has been awarded a £6.4 million grant by the UK government through its Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF), which is managed by the Department for Transport (DfT). This funding is designated to support the advancement of LanzaTech’s pivotal DRAGON 1 and DRAGON 2 projects—two initiatives aimed at transforming the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) landscape in the UK. The DRAGON initiative, which stands for Decarbonizing and Reimagining Aviation for the Goal Of Netzero, is central to the UK’s goal of achieving a cleaner and more sustainable aviation sector.
The DRAGON 1 project is LanzaTech’s existing SAF development located in Port Talbot, South Wales. This facility converts recycled carbon fuel ethanol—some of which is produced through LanzaTech’s proprietary gas fermentation technology—into advanced sustainable aviation fuel using the LanzaJet® Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ) process. This ethanol-to-SAF pathway is gaining recognition as one of the most effective and scalable solutions for decarbonizing air travel.
DRAGON 2 represents the next step in LanzaTech’s SAF ambitions. It will be a Power-to-Liquid (PtL) facility that synthesizes ethanol from captured carbon dioxide and green hydrogen. This ethanol will then be processed into SAF at a neighboring site using the same LanzaJet® AtJ technology. The specific location for DRAGON 2 is yet to be finalized and will be determined during the course of this grant-funded phase.
What sets these projects apart is the integration of LanzaTech’s carbon recycling platform with LanzaJet’s conversion technology. By utilizing locally sourced waste carbon and renewable hydrogen, the combined approach delivers SAF with a significantly lower Carbon Intensity (CI). This not only supports the UK’s SAF Mandate but also promotes industrial revitalization, job creation, and regional economic growth.
Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech, emphasized the significance of this funding: “The future of aviation fuel lies in ethanol-to-SAF solutions, and LanzaTech is leading this transition. The UK government’s backing reinforces our pioneering role and strengthens our mission to create a circular carbon economy for aviation. DRAGON 1 and 2 demonstrate how bold, innovative projects can drive global progress in SAF.”
The government’s financial support underscores confidence in LanzaTech’s technology and the broader potential for waste-based SAF production. This vote of confidence comes in tandem with recognition for Project Speedbird, another LanzaJet-led initiative in which LanzaTech holds a 36% stake. Project Speedbird received £10 million in AFF funding, further highlighting the UK’s strong alignment with LanzaTech and LanzaJet’s strategies.
In 2024, LanzaTech and LanzaJet jointly launched CirculAir™, a comprehensive SAF platform that converts various forms of waste carbon—including CO2, municipal solid waste, and agricultural residues—into jet fuel. This collaboration expands the potential of SAF globally and offers a scalable, waste-based solution to the aviation industry's climate challenges.
With this latest round of funding, total investments from the AFF have reached £198 million, showcasing the UK’s robust support for clean aviation innovations. The funding spans multiple SAF pathways and feedstocks, reflecting a diversified and inclusive approach toward achieving net-zero emissions.
LanzaTech remains committed to working closely with the UK government and industry stakeholders to scale its innovative carbon transformation technologies and contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable aviation future.
