Gevo and Axens Boost SAF with Innovative Ethanol-to-Jet Technology

Gevo and Axens are joining forces to speed up the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) using the ethanol-to-jet (ETJ) pathway. This partnership aims to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and lower risks by leveraging Axens’ Jetanol™ technology.

They are also enhancing Gevo’s patented ethanol-to-olefins (ETO) technology. This technology converts ethanol into light olefins, which are key ingredients for fuels and chemicals.

Dr. Pat Gruber, Chief Executive Officer of Gevo

“We believe that continuing to reduce production costs and capital costs for drop-in hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals has the potential to create large numbers of jobs, spur rural economic development, and create clear, market-based incentives for regenerative agriculture. It adds up to a practical approach for increased energy production and better energy security. This is a real way forward: it drives costs lower, uses the same, established fuel infrastructure, has proven and auditable improvements in sustainability, including how land is used, and offers large benefits to our society, and, in particular, strengthens our rural communities. We see this can be done, and we are pursuing it. It’s the right thing to do.”

Gevo’s Breakthrough in Ethanol-to-Olefins (ETO)

Last September, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted Gevo a patent (U.S. Patent No. 12,043,587 B2) for its ETO process. This patent boosts Gevo’s role in renewable fuels. It protects their advanced catalyst technology that turns ethanol into olefins efficiently.

Gevo and LG Chem have teamed up to scale this process for chemical use. They aim to optimize the technology for commercial purposes. This will create a sustainable alternative to traditional petrochemical olefins.

How the ETO Process Works

Gevo’s ETO process turns ethanol into light olefins. These are key building blocks for fuels and chemicals. Traditional methods first make ethylene. Then, they need extra steps to produce three- and four-carbon olefins like propylene and butenes.

The purpose is to simplify fuel production by making the larger olefins directly from ethanol in a single step. These olefins can then be converted into transportation fuels using proven refining methods.

This innovation improves efficiency, reduces energy use, and lowers costs. Most importantly, it helps achieve zero or even negative carbon emissions, making biofuels more sustainable.

Paving the Way for a Low-Carbon Future

Gevo is committed to cutting carbon emissions through renewable fuels and chemicals. The company operates one of the largest dairy-based renewable natural gas facilities in the U.S. and an ethanol plant equipped with carbon capture technology. It also owns the first production site for specialty alcohol-to-jet fuels.

Gevo’s SAF Technology

Through its Verity subsidiary, Gevo ensures transparency in sustainability tracking. As global jet fuel demand continues to rise, SAF offers a major opportunity to cut emissions and build a cleaner future.

Gevo’s GHG Emissions (2022)

RELATED: Gevo’s $210M Acquisition to Boost Net-Zero Fuel Production

Axens Unveils Jetanol™ to Boost SAF Production

Axens has introduced Jetanol™, a cutting-edge Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology, to accelerate SAF production. With a project pipeline approaching 3 million tons (1 billion gallons) per year, this innovation helps fuel producers transition to cleaner, low-carbon energy.

Quentin Debuisschert, CEO of Axens noted,

“The immense potential for both our companies to lead the future of air-travel decarbonization is an obvious way forward. The combination of Gevo market know-how and capacity of project development with Axens’ best-in-class technology, Jetanol™, is expected to allow a fast acceptance and adoption of the ETJ Pathway. The future ETO technology commercialization will keep Axens and Gevo on the cutting edge of the ETJ pathway by offering end-users and project developers the possibility to select the most attractive technology for their situation.”

Jetanol™

Global Partnerships to Scale SAF

Axens has partnered with Gevo since 2021 through the Strategic ETJ Alliance. Together, they are advancing SAF production with Gevo’s net-zero technology to cut emissions and Verity Tracking for accurate carbon accounting

This collaboration strengthens the supply chain for low-carbon aviation fuels, bringing the industry closer to its decarbonization goals.

A Game-Changer for the Aviation Industry

Airlines are under pressure to cut emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Axens is addressing this with SAF technology that turns diverse biomass feedstocks into jet fuel, including:

Renewable oils and fats
Agricultural and forestry waste
Energy crops and woody biomass
First- and second-generation ethanol and bio-olefins

Jetanol™ converts ethanol or iso-butanol into SAF, offering a scalable alternative to fossil-based jet fuel. It is already used in five major projects, producing over 1.4 million tons (460 million gallons) annually.

Axens is expanding Jetanol™ globally through strategic partnerships, backed by expert engineers and advanced manufacturing. This ensures smooth implementation and long-term support.

By making SAF more accessible and cost-effective the company is helping the aviation industry move toward a cleaner future.

2030 Climate Strategy

Axens plans to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 30% from 2019 levels by 2030. The goal is to remove 87.4 thousand tons of CO2 equivalent. The company is investing in cleaner technologies and improving operations for a sustainable future.

Check out its long-term climate goals below.

The press release further highlights that Gevo, Axens, and IFPEN are working together to commercialize Gevo’s ETO process. Gevo is leading deployment in North America, bringing economic benefits to rural communities.

Axens will help with global commercialization by offering licensing, catalysts, and engineering services. This support ensures the widespread use of this innovative technology. All in all, this partnership will hugely boost sustainable aviation fuels and decarbonize the aviation sector at large.