LanzaTech Announces Breakthrough in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production

LanzaTech has announced a breakthrough in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, expanding its capability to produce SAF via the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway. The innovation offers a sustainable palm oil substitute, leveraging LanzaTech's versatile technology for decarbonization efforts across various sectors. The development was collaboratively developed with Fraunhofer Institute and Mibelle Group.

LanzaTech Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: LNZA) has announced a significant breakthrough in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, expanding its capability to produce SAF via the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway. This innovation offers a sustainable palm oil substitute, leveraging LanzaTech's versatile technology for decarbonization efforts across various sectors. The development was collaboratively achieved with the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB and the Mibelle Group.

The breakthrough involves a unique dual fermentation technology that transforms waste CO₂ gases into alcohol and further into a palm oil-like fat using non-GMO oil yeasts in a secondary fermentation process. This process addresses the environmental challenges associated with palm oil, such as deforestation and biodiversity loss, by providing a sustainable alternative.

The collaboration between LanzaTech, Fraunhofer IGB, and Mibelle Group marks a significant milestone in the cosmetics industry, as the palm oil substitute replicates essential functional properties needed. The development also introduces a novel route to the HEFA pathway for SAF production, circumventing the sustainability and supply challenges currently present with conventional oil crops and waste oils.

The Environmental Challenge and the Innovative Solution

Palm oil is a critical raw material due to its high yield, long shelf life, and heat resistance. However, the global dependency on palm oil has resulted in extensive deforestation, biodiversity loss, and significant CO₂ emissions, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable alternatives. LanzaTech's technology addresses this challenge by transforming waste CO₂ gases into a palm oil substitute, reducing the environmental impact associated with palm oil production.

Addressing Aviation's Decarbonization Challenge

Alcohol from the LanzaTech process is already an ideal feedstock for SAF production. Via the Alcohol to Jet Process, LanzaTech’s technology enables the production of advanced sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and when the ethanol is made from CO₂ and green hydrogen, e-fuels. The versatility of LanzaTech's technology could potentially now extend into another route to SAF, namely the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway: transforming ethanol into synthetic oils that function as alternatives to conventional HEFA feedstocks.

This innovation advances LanzaTech’s position at the forefront of the rapidly expanding SAF market, offering airlines and fuel producers a new tool in their decarbonization arsenal while demonstrating how circular carbon solutions can transform entire industries.

References:
[1] https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/09/02/3142597/0/en/LanzaTech-Mibelle-Group-and-Fraunhofer-IGB-Achieve-Technology-Breakthrough-with-Production-of-Palm-Oil-Substitute.html