United Airlines announced on Tuesday that it will invest up to US$37.5 million (£32 million) in a Houston-based biofuel refinery that will be capable of producing up to 50,000 barrels of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable diesel and other renewable fuels per day.
United Airlines Ventures (UAV) will invest in NEXT Renewable Fuels (NEXT), which is permitting a flagship biofuel refinery in Port Westward, Oregon. Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is expected to begin in 2026. United’s investment is based on NEXT meeting certain milestone targets.
“Right now, one of the biggest barriers to increasing supply and lowering costs of sustainable fuel is that we don’t have the infrastructure in place to transport it efficiently, but NEXT’s strategic location and assets solve that problem and provide a blueprint for future facilities that need to be built,” said Michael Leskinen, President of United Airline Ventures. “We believe this investment will not only bolster NEXT’s ambitions and create near-term solutions to expand our SAF supply, but further demonstrates our commitment toward producing SAF at the scale necessary to decarbonize the aviation industry.”
NEXT has secured an agreement with BP for sourcing 100 percent of its feedstock. It has also received a crucial air permit from the State of Oregon. Once all the necessary approvals and permits are obtained and the biorefinery is operational, it has the potential to be used as a platform to scale SAF and deploy additional future technologies.
“The clean fuels industry is taking off and our access to feedstocks, multi-modal distribution, and major industry players positions us to be a leading SAF supplier on the West Coast,” said Christopher Efird, CEO and Chairperson of NEXT. “United’s investment in NEXT strengthens our resolve to be one of the clean fuels leaders in the transportation sector.”
This is UAV’s fifth SAF-related technology investment, and its first investment directly in a biorefinery. United has been an industry leader in advocating for alternative jet fuel for years – including investing in more SAF production than any other airline in the world and flying the world’s first passenger flight using 100% SAF in one engine. The company has also launched the Eco-Skies Alliance program, which among its 30 corporate participants, has collectively purchased more than 7 million gallons of SAF.
Launched in 2021, UAV is a sustainability-focused ventures fund that targets startups, upcoming technologies, and concepts that will complement United’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050 – without relying on traditional carbon offsets such as voluntary offsets or planting trees. UAV’s portfolio includes SAF producers and other companies advancing technologies including carbon utilization, hydrogen-electric engines, electric regional aircraft and air taxis.
The Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) is set to acquire an additional five Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs) from Japan. These vessels…
Korean Air is set to open a new daily route connecting Seoul Incheon with Macau starting 1 July 2024, as…
Qatar Airways Cargo announced the opening of its advanced Animal Centre and the relaunching of its Next Generation Live product…
All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Air India, India's national flag carrier, have established a commercial agreement to initiate a codeshare…
Saab has completed the delivery of another GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the United Arab Emirates…
In what seems to be a continuation of Vietnam’s Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang's visit to South Korea in…
GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF), a Dublin-based helicopter leasing and finance company, has secured a contract with Airbus Helicopters and GDAT,…
Indian Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) IndiGo has announced a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft in what is its first…
Racer demonstrator, developed by Airbus Helicopters as part of the European Research Clean Sky 2 initiative, has completed its inaugural…
Lockheed Martin Australia has secured an AUD$500 million contract with the Australian Department of Defence to develop the country’s future…
Artemis Aerospace has announced the addition of a hub in Singapore following the launch of two similar sites in the…
ZeroAvia announced plans to offer key components from its hydrogen-electric engines to fellow innovators in the clean aviation industry on…
Challenge Group has announced the launch of Challenge Technic's specialised A-CHECK line at its hangar facility in Hannover on Wednesday…
Korean Air, alongside Hyundai Motor Company, Korea Telecom (KT), Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), and Hyundai Engineering & Construction, has…
Mayman Aerospace is set to unveil a full-scale model of its high-speed Air Utility Vehicle (AUV), Razor, during SOF Week…
TEKEVER, a provider of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in Europe, introduced its newest drone the ARX in San Diego, U.S.…
Viasat and uAvionix have teamed up to enhance global communication services for Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), with uAvionix joining Viasat’s…
Korean Air and WestJet have extended their codeshare agreement to provide additional transpacific travel options for passengers on Monday (Apr.…
China Eastern Airlines has reached an agreement with Amadeus concerning international NDC distribution, marking a significant development for both parties.…
Singaporean officials have launched an Invincible-class submarine for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) at thyssenKrupp Marine Systems (tKMS) shipyard…
Ten people died following a midair collision between an AW139 helicopter and a Fennec helicopter belonging to the Royal Malaysian…
Integrated Surveillance and Defense (ISD) has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD),…
ST Engineering AirX (AirX), a joint venture between ST Engineering and Peluca (formerly known as Wigetworks), have announced a strategic…
WestJet Cargo is strengthening its flights between Calgary and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). The route will operate 5-7 times…
Embraer delivered 25 jets in 1Q24, an increase of 67% compared to the 15 aircraft delivered in 1Q23. Executive Aviation…
Harbour Air, North America's largest seaplane airline, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to purchase 50 magni650 electric engines,…
Emirates President Sir Tim Clark has apologised to customers for the disruptions caused by the severe weather that battered Dubai…
The Indonesian Navy (TNI Angkatan Laut - TNI AL) aims to enhance its operational capabilities between 2025 and 2044 with…
The Philippine Armed Forces (PAF) took delivery of the first India-made BrahMos land-based anti-ship missile system at Clark Air Base…
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) ordered six Airbus H145 helicopters as part of its efforts to update its rotary…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.