LanzaTech Selects Humber Location for £600m Sustainable Aviation Fuel Facility

LanzaTech Global, Inc. has confirmed Saltend Chemicals Park in Humberside as the preferred site for its landmark DRAGON II project, a major £600 million investment focused on large-scale production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel. The project marks a significant milestone in the UK’s journey toward decarbonising aviation and transport fuels while strengthening domestic energy resilience. Once fully operational, the DRAGON II facility is expected to manufacture approximately 80,000 tonnes of SAF annually—equivalent to nearly 1% of the UK’s total jet fuel demand alongside 8,000 tonnes of renewable diesel each year. The development is also projected to generate around 300 skilled jobs during the construction phase and approximately 150 long-term roles once operations commence.

Saltend Chemicals Park is owned and operated by px Group, which forms part of the Ara Partners portfolio, a global investor specialising in industrial decarbonisation. The site was chosen following a comprehensive evaluation of potential locations across the UK. px Group’s Saltend facility stood out due to its extensive industrial infrastructure, reliable utilities, deep-water jetty access, and fully integrated site services model, all of which are critical for delivering a project of this scale and complexity.

The DRAGON II project is part of LanzaTech’s broader DRAGON programme—short for Decarbonizing and Reimagining Aviation for the Goal Of Netzero. This programme comprises two complementary initiatives that both rely on the LanzaJet® Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ) technology platform. DRAGON I is planned for Port Talbot in South Wales, while DRAGON II will be based in Humberside. Together, these projects are designed to demonstrate how innovative fuel pathways can support the aviation sector’s transition to net zero.

To supply feedstock for these facilities, LanzaTech plans to produce a combined total of 50 kilotonnes of ethanol at sites in Milford Haven and Saltend. This ethanol will be produced using LanzaTech’s proprietary gas fermentation technology, which converts waste carbon dioxide and green hydrogen into low-carbon ethanol. That ethanol will then be upgraded into Power-to-Liquid SAF using LanzaJet’s conversion process. The integration of green hydrogen is subject to regulatory updates for SAF eligibility, given the current high cost of hydrogen production.

Strong backing from the UK government has played a key role in advancing the DRAGON projects. In July 2025, LanzaTech secured £6.4 million in funding from the Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund, supporting the acceleration of both DRAGON I and DRAGON II developments.

Construction of the DRAGON II facility is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2027, with operations targeted to start by 2030. Beyond fuel production, the project is expected to make a meaningful contribution to the UK’s net-zero targets, boost national energy security, and drive high-value industrial growth across the Humber region. LanzaTech is actively exploring collaborations with local partners and supply chains, as well as opportunities to leverage the region’s developing CO2 pipeline networks and hydrogen infrastructure to maximise regional benefits.

Commenting on the announcement, Jim Woodger, Managing Director for EMEA and the Americas at LanzaTech, highlighted the strategic importance of the location, noting that Saltend offers exceptional infrastructure for SAF production and future hydrogen and CO2 integration. He also emphasised the strong alignment between LanzaTech and the px Group team’s expertise.

px Group CEO Geoff Holmes echoed these sentiments, stating that the investment further reinforces Saltend’s reputation as a hub for world-first, low-carbon industrial projects. He added that DRAGON II will enhance the Humber’s role as the UK’s “Energy Estuary,” delivering skilled employment and supporting a resilient, net-zero future for the region.