Air to Jet Fuel: United Announces Investment in Power-to-Liquid Fuels Company Twelve
United Airlines (UAL) has announced an investment in Twelve, a low-carbon fuels company that produces sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through a process similar to photosynthesis. Twelve's technology converts CO2 and water into SAF using renewable energy, potentially reducing lifecycle emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional jet fuel.
The investment follows Twelve's $83 million Series C funding round and the development of its first SAF production facility, AirPlant One, in Moses Lake, Washington. The facility is expected to begin production in 2025 with an annual capacity of 50,000 gallons of SAF. Notably, Twelve has secured a 14-year contract to supply 260 million gallons of SAF to a major European airline group.
United Airlines (UAL) ha annunciato un investimento in Twelve, un'azienda specializzata in carburanti a basso contenuto di carbonio che produce carburante sostenibile per l'aviazione (SAF) tramite un processo simile alla fotosintesi. La tecnologia di Twelve trasforma CO2 e acqua in SAF utilizzando energia rinnovabile, riducendo potenzialmente le emissioni di ciclo di vita fino al 90% rispetto al carburante per jet convenzionale.
L'investimento segue il round di finanziamento Serie C da 83 milioni di dollari di Twelve e lo sviluppo del suo primo impianto di produzione SAF, AirPlant One, a Moses Lake, Washington. L'impianto dovrebbe iniziare la produzione nel 2025 con una capacità annua di 50.000 galloni di SAF. Da notare che Twelve ha ottenuto un contratto di 14 anni per fornire 260 milioni di galloni di SAF a un importante gruppo di compagnie aeree europee.
United Airlines (UAL) ha anunciado una inversión en Twelve, una empresa de combustibles bajos en carbono que produce combustible sostenible para aviación (SAF) mediante un proceso similar a la fotosíntesis. La tecnología de Twelve convierte CO2 y agua en SAF usando energía renovable, lo que podría reducir las emisiones en todo el ciclo de vida hasta en un 90% en comparación con el combustible de aviación convencional.
La inversión sigue a la ronda de financiación Serie C de 83 millones de dólares de Twelve y al desarrollo de su primera planta de producción de SAF, AirPlant One, en Moses Lake, Washington. Se espera que la planta comience la producción en 2025 con una capacidad anual de 50,000 galones de SAF. Cabe destacar que Twelve ha asegurado un contrato de 14 años para suministrar 260 millones de galones de SAF a un importante grupo de aerolíneas europeo.
유나이티드 항공 (UAL)은 광합성과 유사한 공정을 통해 지속 가능한 항공 연료(SAF)를 생산하는 저탄소 연료 회사인 Twelve에 투자했다고 발표했습니다. Twelve의 기술은 재생 에너지를 사용하여 CO2와 물을 SAF로 전환하며, 기존 제트 연료 대비 최대 90%까지 생애 주기 배출량을 줄일 수 있습니다.
이번 투자는 Twelve의 8,300만 달러 규모 시리즈 C 펀딩 라운드와 워싱턴주 모세스 레이크에 위치한 첫 SAF 생산 시설인 AirPlant One 개발에 이어 이루어졌습니다. 이 시설은 2025년에 연간 50,000갤런의 SAF 생산을 시작할 예정입니다. 특히, Twelve는 주요 유럽 항공사 그룹에 14년 계약으로 2억 6천만 갤런의 SAF를 공급하기로 확정했습니다.
United Airlines (UAL) a annoncé un investissement dans Twelve, une entreprise de carburants à faible teneur en carbone qui produit du carburant d'aviation durable (SAF) via un procédé similaire à la photosynthèse. La technologie de Twelve convertit le CO2 et l'eau en SAF en utilisant de l'énergie renouvelable, ce qui pourrait réduire les émissions sur l'ensemble du cycle de vie jusqu'à 90% par rapport au carburant d'aviation traditionnel.
Cet investissement fait suite à la levée de fonds de 83 millions de dollars lors du tour de financement de série C de Twelve et au développement de sa première installation de production de SAF, AirPlant One, à Moses Lake, dans l'État de Washington. L'installation devrait commencer sa production en 2025 avec une capacité annuelle de 50 000 gallons de SAF. Il est à noter que Twelve a obtenu un contrat de 14 ans pour fournir 260 millions de gallons de SAF à un grand groupe aérien européen.
United Airlines (UAL) hat eine Investition in Twelve angekündigt, ein Unternehmen für kohlenstoffarme Kraftstoffe, das nachhaltigen Flugkraftstoff (SAF) durch einen Prozess ähnlich der Photosynthese herstellt. Die Technologie von Twelve wandelt CO2 und Wasser mithilfe erneuerbarer Energie in SAF um und kann die Lebenszyklus-Emissionen im Vergleich zu herkömmlichem Flugbenzin um bis zu 90% reduzieren.
Die Investition folgt auf die 83 Millionen US-Dollar umfassende Series-C-Finanzierungsrunde von Twelve und die Entwicklung der ersten SAF-Produktionsanlage AirPlant One in Moses Lake, Washington. Die Anlage soll 2025 mit einer jährlichen Kapazität von 50.000 Gallonen SAF in Betrieb gehen. Bemerkenswert ist, dass Twelve einen 14-jährigen Vertrag zur Lieferung von 260 Millionen Gallonen SAF an eine große europäische Fluggesellschaftsgruppe gesichert hat.
- Potential 90% reduction in lifecycle emissions compared to conventional jet fuel
- Secured major 14-year contract for 260 million gallons of SAF with European airline group
- First production facility (AirPlant One) launching in 2025
- Technology reduces reliance on fossil fuels by using renewable energy, captured carbon, and water
- Initial production capacity is relatively small at 50,000 gallons annually
- Technology still needs to prove commercial viability at scale
Insights
United's investment in Twelve's CO2-to-SAF technology strengthens its sustainability portfolio while addressing aviation's decarbonization challenge through innovative fuel partnerships.
United Airlines' investment in Twelve represents an important strategic positioning in the rapidly evolving sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) market. Twelve's technology converts CO2 and water into SAF using renewable energy, mimicking photosynthesis to create jet fuel rather than relying on biological feedstocks.
The most significant aspect of this announcement is Twelve's existing 14-year contract to supply 260 million gallons of SAF to a European airline group, demonstrating substantial market validation before United's investment. This averages to approximately 18.6 million gallons annually – a meaningful volume that signals serious commercial intent.
However, context is important. Twelve's first production facility, AirPlant One in Washington state, will produce just 50,000 gallons annually, highlighting the massive scaling challenge ahead. The company must increase production capacity by roughly 370x to fulfill its European contract obligations.
This investment comes through United's Sustainable Flight Fund, which has secured over
The claim that Twelve's SAF could reduce lifecycle emissions by up to
For United, this investment reflects ongoing efforts to prepare for a lower-carbon regulatory environment while developing multiple potential solutions to aviation's challenging emissions profile.
Twelve's power-to-liquid SAF technology shows promise with major contracts, but faces significant scaling challenges despite solid financial backing and United's strategic investment.
Twelve's technology represents an innovative approach to sustainable aviation fuel production that differs fundamentally from biofuel pathways. By using renewable electricity to convert captured carbon dioxide and water into jet fuel components, they're effectively creating a circular carbon system that could theoretically operate with minimal net emissions.
The company's recent
Their first production facility, AirPlant One in Moses Lake, Washington, is expected to begin operations this year with 50,000 gallons of annual capacity. While this output is minimal compared to aviation's enormous fuel needs, it represents a critical proof-of-concept for their technology at commercial scale.
The challenge ahead is evident in the gap between this initial capacity and Twelve's 260 million gallon contract with a European airline group. This will require substantial additional capital investment and technology optimization to achieve economic viability at scale.
Twelve's process offers two key advantages over traditional biofuel approaches: it avoids land use concerns by not requiring agricultural feedstocks, and it potentially achieves higher carbon reduction (up to
The key technical hurdle remains efficiency and cost. Power-to-liquid technologies typically require significant renewable electricity input and optimized catalysts to be economically competitive. The fact that major airlines are willing to sign long-term offtake agreements suggests confidence in eventual cost parity, particularly as carbon pricing mechanisms evolve globally.
Twelve's technology is an industrial alternative to photosynthesis to transform carbon and water into inputs for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) – company recently entered into one of the largest SAF contracts with large European airline group for 260 million gallons
United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight FundSM continues to augment its investment portfolio with commercially advanced companies that use demonstrated energy pathways
This investment by the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund follows Twelve's
Last year, Twelve secured a SAF purchase agreement with a large European-based airline company. Under the 14-year contract, Twelve will supply 260 million gallons of SAF to support its five airlines. This long-term agreement, combined with the development of Twelve's first plant, underscores the demand for the company's innovative technology and SAF.
The SAF Twelve plans to produce once its plant becomes operational, is expected to be a lower-carbon alternative fuel with the potential to reduce lifecycle emissions by up to
"Scaling the SAF industry is the major hurdle air travel needs to clear in order to increase the supply and reduce the price of lower carbon fuels," said Andrew Chang, head of United Airlines Ventures®. "Twelve has differentiated themselves through the capital they have raised and the SAF contracts they have secured, providing them with the flexibility to commercialize their technology and grow their operations expediently."
"United's Sustainable Flight Fund's investment reinforces our momentum at a pivotal moment as we move from innovation to implementation," said Nicholas Flanders, co-founder & CEO of Twelve. "With AirPlant One launching imminently and strong a collaboration with United, we're not just envisioning the decarbonization of air travel—we're actively building it. Because we have the capability to deliver our E-Jet® sustainable aviation fuel at scale, Twelve is proudly creating a realistic pathway to carbon-neutral aviation that meets both operational demands and climate goals."
Twelve's advanced technology uses renewable energy to combine carbon captured from air and hydrogen obtained from water into the basic building blocks that make fuels, plastics and other materials. By using renewable electricity, captured carbon and water, the process reduces the reliance on fossil fuels, lowering lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, including the emissions associated with production of fuels and in manufacturing.
UAV Sustainable Flight Fund
The UAV Sustainable Flight FundSM is a first-of-its-kind investment vehicle designed to leverage support from cross-industry businesses in order to support start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel. The fund is comprised of more than
About United
At United, Good Leads The Way. With
About Twelve
Twelve™ is the carbon transformation company on a mission to eliminate global emissions and build a net zero future.
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