Aramco-backed OXCCU launches ‘World First’ SAF Plant
The global aviation industry aims to reach net zero by 2050, but to get there significant changes are needed.
Aircraft powered by fossil fuels emit a range of greenhouse gases (GHGs) directly into the upper atmosphere and are responsible for 4% of global temperature rise.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has the potential to reduce these emissions 80% compared to traditional jet fuel and can be used in current aircraft engines.
OXCCU, an Oxford University spinout, has revolutionised the process of creating sustainable jet fuel.
Andrew Symes, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at OXCCU, says: “We’re beyond excited to launch the OX1 plant, located close to where OXCCU was born.
“The fuel we’ve already made in a single step from CO₂ in the lab has created great excitement with its potential to massively reduce the cost of SAF, but the scale up is key and this plant will generate the data and litres of fuel we need.
“Our mission is to enable future generations to fly without a climate impact and to do that we need cost-effective PtL SAF. This launch marks a key step in achieving that goal.”
How is OXCCU different?
OXCCU is the only company with a one step catalyst that does not produce significant amounts of alcohol as a byproduct.
Its patented multifunctional iron catalyst converts CO₂ and H₂ directly into jet fuel range hydrocarbons.
This design eliminates the need for CO₂ to be converted into CO, a more energy intensive process.
Other sustainable fuel companies typically use the hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) process that uses oils or ethanol, but these rely on crops and are limited due to land use.
OXCCU also aims to use its process to produce lower carbon and eventually circular chemicals and biodegradable plastics.
The company has received funding from huge names including Aramco, United Airlines, Trafigura and Eni and won a grant from the UK Government in 2023.
OXCCU’s new SAF plant
The company launched its first official demonstration plant at London Oxford Airport, called OX1.
This plant will produce the company’s OX•EFUEL at a rate of 1kg per day.
Dr Tiancun Xiao, Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer at OXCCU, says the launch is “a milestone for OXCCU and a new era for human beings' circular economy”.
OX1 will start operations in September 2024 as the world’s first demonstration of this single step technology.
The company has also announced its OX2 plant, opening in Hull in 2026.
OX2 will use key information from OX1 to scale up SAF production to 160kg per day.
What does the future hold for OXCCU?
Once OX2 has launched, OXCCU aims to build a commercial plant in 2028.
Subject to parliamentary approval, a UK SAF mandate will start on 1 January 2025 for 2% of total UK jet fuel demand to be SAF.
This will scale up on a linear basis, reaching 22% in 2040.
The mandate also includes a cap on the feedstocks used in the HEFA process once other types of SAF, such as the one produced by OXCCU, are commercially viable.
The UK Government also announced a SAF revenue certainty mechanism to allow SAF producers to invest in new plants in the UK.
These measures will increase demand for SAF produced in the UK.
By 2030, OXCCU aims to licence its technology package globally.
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