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A new facility in Georgia is set to become the world’s first commercial plant to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from ethanol, marking a notable step in the effort to decarbonize air travel. Production is expected to begin by the end of 2025, following delays due to equipment upgrades.
The facility is built to demonstrate LanzaJet’s patented alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology, which converts low-carbon ethanol into a jet fuel compatible with existing aircraft engines and infrastructure. Once operational, the plant is expected to support a long-term transition away from fossil-based aviation fuel.
SAF developed via the ATJ process can be made from a range of ethanol sources, including sugarcane, energy crops, agricultural residues, municipal solid waste, and even captured carbon from industrial emissions. This flexibility allows for both regional feedstock use and global scalability, with the potential to create a circular, low-carbon fuel ecosystem.
The resulting fuel meets ASTM D7566 Annex A5 standards and reportedly achieves higher energy density than conventional jet fuel, according to Interesting Engineering. In addition to lowering lifecycle carbon emissions, early tests indicate it could reduce aircraft contrail formation and particulate matter emissions by up to 95%, helping to address both climate impact and local air quality.
Regulatory and logistical hurdles have delayed commercial fuel sales. Modifications made in recent months aim to resolve these issues, and the facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of Q3 2025.
This project is also being closely observed as a case study for the ethanol-to-jet market, especially given its backing from the U.S. government. If successful, it could validate ethanol-based SAF as a scalable, climate-friendly alternative for commercial aviation—without requiring changes to current airline infrastructure.
