Fluor Corporation has secured a contract to design a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production hub in North Yorkshire, England. The facility, named Project Speedbird, is a collaboration between LanzaJet and British Airways, aiming to convert ethanol derived from agricultural residues and woody biomass into SAF using LanzaJet’s Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology.
This project is expected to produce over 90,000 tons of SAF annually and is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by around 230,000 tons each year—equivalent to emissions from approximately 26,000 domestic flights. The plant's location in Teesside takes advantage of existing industrial infrastructure and workforce skills, aligning with the UK's strategic goals to boost domestic SAF production and achieve net-zero emissions in aviation.
Industry leaders emphasize the project's importance
Mike Alexander, Fluor's group president for project execution, highlighted the project as a pivotal step in global efforts to decarbonize aviation. LanzaJet CEO Jimmy Samartzis considered this the company's next big milestone after its U.S. facility, reflecting the importance of partnering with global engineering leaders to ensure successful project delivery.
The initiative demonstrates the UK's commitment to expanding sustainable aviation solutions, supporting carriers like British Airways in their efforts to reduce lifecycle emissions and promote industry-wide decarbonization.
