Nova Pangaea Technologies exceed target yields in endurance production trials

At their demonstration facility on Teesside, UK technology developer Nova Pangaea Technologies (NPT) recently completed endurance production trials. NPT’s trials showed continuous stable operations for up to 72 hours and managed to achieve above target yields.

The company is developing a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from waste biomass pathway. Its REFNOVA technology converts feedstocks such as wood chips, sawdust or wheat straw into ethanol, which can then be converted into SAF. The process becomes carbon negative through the production of a co-product, biochar, which permanently captures CO2.

The latest trials used softwood residues from timber processing. Across the multiple runs the company produced up to 3 tonnes of feedstock/day. Further trials are due to be run in 2027.

“The latest trials have validated our technology and should further underpin the confidence of investors on our journey towards building our first commercial plant,” says Stewart Stewart, CEO, Nova Pangaea Technologies. “The SAF industry is currently at a critical point. Demand is increasing and supply chain shocks such as in the Middle East show the need to find an alternative to fossil fuels. Nova Pangaea’s tried and tested technology offers a genuine alternative. By tapping into the plentiful supplies of waste biomass, we can boost SAF production – enhancing our energy security, and building a new domestic industry that generates jobs and revenues while reducing fossil fuel emissions.”

NPT is part of Project Speedbird, a UK SAF production initiative alongside British Airways and LanzaJet. NPT is planning to develop four UK facilities to produce ethanol which can then be upgraded to SAF using LanzaJet’s, Alcohol-to-Jet technology.

To date NPT has raised over £21m including International Airlines Group, PXN Ventures, Mercia Ventures and the first Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, alongside UK government grant funding awarded under the Advanced Fuels Fund competition.

These tests are the next step as the company looks to raise capital for its first commercial production facility.