United Airlines Ventures (UAV) is onboarding in a project that would commercialize the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) — making it more available to air cargo players.
In a statement, the Chicago-baed carrier said that along Oxy Low Carbon Ventures (OLCV), it is collaborating with Houston-based biotech firm Cemvita Factory for the production of SAF using carbon dioxide (CO2) and synthetic microbes.
The process converts carbon dioxide into hydrocarbons for SAF.
With this step, UAV also announced an equity investment in Cemvita Factory.
"At United, we have been consistent in leading the airline industry with bold action when it comes to fighting climate change – that starts with building an ecosystem around companies like Cemvita Factory to create and commercialize new SAF technologies," said Michael Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures.
"This is truly a global imperative, and this cooperation with Oxy Low Carbon Ventures reflects our dedication to building relationships across sectors and working with companies aligned with our sustainability goals."
United said it has previously worked with OLCV on new approaches to combat climate change.
Together, UAV and OLCV will fund development work at Cemvita to convert carbon dioxide into hydrocarbons for SAF.
"If performance targets are achieved, UAV and OLCV plan to form a joint venture to commercialize the technology. This includes funding projects such as pilot and demo plants, engineering studies, financing construction, and operating SAF plants," United said.
Accelerating SAF production
SAF is an alternative to jet fuel that uses non-petroleum feedstock and offers lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. United has invested in more SAF production than any other airline.
"The use of SAF is a promising approach that we believe can significantly reduce global emissions from aviation and further decarbonization initiatives to combat climate change," said Richard Jackson, president, Operations, US Onshore Resources and Carbon Management, Oxy.
"We are eager to collaborate with United and Cemvita to accelerate SAF innovation to reach commercial scale."
This latest announcement makes Cemvita the third SAF-related technology to receive an investment from UAV.
UAV targets startups, upcoming technologies, and sustainability concepts that will complement United's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 – without relying on traditional carbon offsets.
United noted that SAF has the potential to deliver the performance of petroleum-based jet fuel but with a fraction of its carbon footprint on a lifecycle basis.
