Thursday, August 29, 2024 Southwest Airlines partners with SAFFiRE Renewables to convert corn waste into sustainable jet fuel, pioneering a greener future for aviation. SAFFiRE Renewables, LLC (SAFFiRE) has commenced construction on its pilot plant at Conestoga Energy’s Arkalon Energy facility in Liberal, Kansas. This development represents a major milestone in SAFFiRE’s mission to convert corn stover into a plentiful low-carbon feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Upon completion, the plant will be capable of processing 10 tons of corn stover daily, producing cellulosic ethanol that can be converted into SAF with a carbon footprint that is at least 83% lower than that of traditional jet fuel. SAFFiRE is using proprietary technology developed by the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), supported by funding from Southwest Airlines® and the Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO). The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by key figures including Senator Jerry Moran, Senator Roger Marshall, SAFFiRE CEO Tom Nealon, Conestoga CEO Tom Willis, FAA Deputy Regional Director Debra Sanning, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor, BETO Director Valerie Sarisky-Reed, and Congressman Tracey Mann.
“Today’s groundbreaking event marks a significant milestone for SAFFiRE Renewables,” said Tom Nealon, CEO of SAFFiRE Renewables . “Our priority now is to complete the construction of our pilot plant, with a target of Q4 2025, and begin operations. We’re very fortunate to have great partners who are equally committed to the success of SAFFiRE, including Southwest Airlines, Conestoga Energy, LanzaJet, the National Renewable Energy Lab, and the Department of Energy.
There is still a lot of work to do, but we are prepared and excited for the path ahead.” “This pilot plant shows that public-private investments can put steel in the ground for pioneering SAF facilities,” said BETO Director Dr. Valerie Sarisky-Reed .
“It has been a pleasure to see DOE funding translate into industry milestones that directly support the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious SAF Grand Challenge, which aims to decarbonize the aviation sector.” “This plant has the potential to be a big step for Kansas—and a huge leap for the entire biofuels industry,” said Emily Skor , CEO of Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, who was on-hand to congratulate SAFFiRE and Conestoga on their partnership. “SAF is a multi-billion-dollar opportunity that would be transformational for the economy.
America’s energy future needs it, our climate goals require it, and our rural communities—including right here in Kansas—sure deserve it.” By converting corn stover into ethanol, SAFFiRE’s innovative technological approach has the potential to drive aviation’s shift toward sustainability while placing the U.S.
agriculture and ethanol sectors at the leading edge of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development..
