LanzaJet and LanzaTech to study potential for New Zealand SAF

LanzaJet and LanzaTech have been selected by Air New Zealand and the New Zealand Ministry for Business, Innovation, and Employment to help determine the viability and sustainability of domestic Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production in New Zealand.

The fuels technology engineer and sustainable fuels producer will explore the use of New Zealand’s domestic waste products to produce SAF, focusing on forestry residue. LanzaTech will convert the waste raw materials into low-carbon ethanol using gas fermentation technology. LanzaJet will then convert the ethanol into SAF with its Alcohol-to-Jet technology.

“A sustainable fuels industry enables countries to gain energy independence with domestic production of fuels alongside infrastructure and economic development, while having a positive benefit on climate change – and that’s what we’re looking to enable in New Zealand,” said Jimmy Samartzis, founder and CEO, LanzaJet.

LanzaTech and LanzaJet will work with Ampol Group subsidiary and New Zealand fuel retailer, Z Energy to evaluate the end-to-end supply chain, including feedstock options and the impact on the local economy.

Lindis Jones, CEO, Z Energy said while there is no silver bullet in the energy transition, SAF will play a critical role in reducing the aviation sector’s emissions. “Z is looking forward to being a valuable partner alongside LanzaJet and LanzaTech by leveraging its local supply chain expertise, its previous experience supplying biofuels to customers including Air New Zealand, and the expertise of the wider Ampol Group,” said Jones.

LanzaTech, which was founded in Auckland, New Zealand, will also conduct a supply chain risk assessment, while also evaluating the potential for using domestic waste to produce ethanol.

“We must accelerate deployment of SAF facilities globally to create new jobs and deliver much needed volumes of sustainable fuels to a sector that has limited options today,” Jennifer Holmgren, CEO LanzaTech.

Air New Zealand, the nation’s national carrier, and the New Zealand Government are also investing in the study to understand which technologies can be best used in the country.

“We appreciate the leadership shown by Air New Zealand and the New Zealand government in enabling a future where domestic wastes and residues can be meaningfully repurposed, enabling energy security and regional growth opportunities,” added Holmgren.

The study is expected to be completed by summer 2024. After that, a final decision will be made on the next stages of the project, including further development and engineering work.