Press Release / 09.29.2025
LanzaJet and British Airways launch the UK’s first ethanol-to-SAF facility.
Located in Teesside, UK, this facility will produce over 90,000 tonnes (30 million US gallons) of SAF and renewable diesel annually. All the SAF produced is destined for British Airways, where it will help reduce their carbon emissions by 230,000 tonnes per year — equivalent to 26,000 domestic flights.
Project Speedbird uses LanzaJet’s Alcohol-to-Jet technology to convert second-generation ethanol — produced from sources like agricultural residues and woody biomass — into SAF.
Powering a sustainable future together.
LanzaJet is proud to collaborate with British Airways and the UK government to drive the growth of the SAF industry in the UK and globally.
Project Speedbird has twice been awarded from the UK Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF), securing £9 million ($12m) in 2023 and a further £10 million ($13m) in 2025 to accelerate development of the facility. It showcases how aligning technology, investment, partnerships, and policy can drive meaningful progress toward accelerating industrial decarbonization efforts.
British Airways is a founding investor and shareholder in LanzaJet and they have been a partner in the development of Project Speedbird since the early concept phase. Project Speedbird forms a key pillar in meeting British Airways’ NetZero ambitions.
Project Speedbird continues the collaboration with Technip Energies and their Ethylene-to-Ethanol technology, Hummingbird. Successfully developed on LanzaJets Freedom Pines Facility, Project Speedbird will continue this technology at the front end of the facility, pulling on knowledge and lessons learned during this partnership.
The partnership with Sembcorp, who own and operate the Wilton International site, is a key part of the collaboration that Project Speedbird will build upon utilizing existing infrastructure and networks to enhance the projects value proposition.
Bolstering economic development in Teesside.
Wilton International in Teesside, UK, was chosen for its robust energy and utility resources, advanced infrastructure, and rich industrial heritage. The facility will establish a local supply chain for SAF, supporting the UK’s goal of leading the energy transition.
Project Speedbird will strengthen the local economy by creating high quality jobs, including hundreds of construction roles and over 30 skilled, long-term positions within LanzaJet’s operations.
Recent Updates from Project Speedbird
Fueling the future of SAF.
LanzaJet and British Airways are driving the growth of the SAF industry with real-world impact. Together, we’re building a more sustainable future.
100+
This includes hundreds of construction roles and over 30 highly skilled, long-term positions within LanzaJet’s operations
90,000
We’ll produce over 90,000 tonnes (30 million gallons) of SAF and renewable diesel annually.
230,000
The fuel produced is expected to reduce the net carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 230,000 tonnes per year.