UK Awards $13M To Build Massive Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plant In Teesside

📰 The quick summary: LanzaJet secured a $13 million grant from the UK Department for Transport to advance Project Speedbird, a major sustainable aviation fuel facility that will produce 30 million gallons of low-carbon jet fuel annually.

📈 One key stat: Once operational, Project Speedbird will produce over 30 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel annually, helping meet the UK’s mandate requiring 10% of aviation fuel to come from sustainable sources by 2030.

💬 One key quote: Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet, said the AFF award demonstrates the UK’s confidence in ethanol-to-SAF and its “critical role in delivering economic growth, creating jobs, and decarbonizing air travel.”

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1️⃣ The big picture: LanzaJet just received a substantial $13 million grant from the UK government to advance Project Speedbird, a pioneering sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility planned for Teesside. This ethanol-to-jet fuel plant will be one of the UK’s first commercial-scale facilities using waste-based feedstocks to produce aviation fuel. The project is being developed primarily for British Airways, which is both an investor and customer of LanzaJet. Project Speedbird represents a significant step forward in the UK’s commitment to decarbonizing air travel through domestic SAF production.

2️⃣ Why this is good news: This funding accelerates the deployment of proven technology that can dramatically reduce aviation emissions compared to conventional jet fuel. The project creates a template for future SAF developments across Europe while establishing a low-carbon fuel supply chain in the UK. Teesside will benefit from hundreds of new skilled jobs and strengthened regional clean energy infrastructure. The facility helps airlines meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations while supporting the UK’s broader industrial strategy to become a global leader in sustainable fuels. This technology pathway offers an immediate solution for decarbonizing aviation using existing aircraft fleets.

3️⃣ What’s next: LanzaJet will now move Project Speedbird into Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), marking a significant milestone toward construction. The company will finalize technical specifications and build connections with local feedstock providers, renewable energy suppliers, and distribution partners. The project team must complete detailed engineering work before breaking ground on what will become a key part of the UK’s sustainable aviation ecosystem.