LanzaTech and Tadweer partner to scale SAF production

LanzaTech Global Inc., a Skokie, Illinois-based carbon recycling company, and United Arab Emirates-based waste management company Tadweer have partnered to initiate an integrated waste-to-sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feasibility study to scale SAF production from municipal and commercial solid waste.

This is the first major project in LanzaTech and Tadweer’s partnership, which the companies say can convert approximately 385,700 tons of municipal and commercial solid waste into approximately 220,400 tons of ethanol per year, producing 132,240 tons of SAF.

“The waste management industry has the potential to reduce almost 1.8 gigatonnes [approximately 1.9 billion tons] of emitted CO2 per year, an indicator of its critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” says Ali Al Dhaheri, managing director and CEO of Tadweer. “We look forward to working closely with LanzaTech on developing a waste-to-SAF solution, which strengthens our efforts to implement a sustainable waste management system in the Emirate. This builds on our vision of becoming an international model for a circular economy.”

Majed Al Marzouqi, Tadweer’s project manager, says the project will contribute to the UAE's National SAF Road Map. He says the waste-to-SAF project not only advances the UAE's position in sustainable SAF production but also demonstrates a commitment to aligning with international environmental standards.

“Recycling municipal solid waste, rather than letting it pile up in landfills, offers incredible potential to produce sustainable aviation fuel at scale and reduce air travel’s carbon footprint,” says LanzaTech CEO Jennifer Holmgren. “This solution creates an alternative, lower carbon supply chain. With LanzaTech’s technology in Tadweer’s facilities, this project is an opportunity to address the climate crisis on two fronts simultaneously and keep virgin fossil fuels in the ground.”

According to LanzaTech, the facility will transform solid waste streams into a synthesis gas consisting of CO, CO2 and dihydrogen (H2) via a gasification unit licensed by sustainable technology solutions provider NextChem, a Marie Tecnimont company based in Milan. The gas stream will then be transformed by LanzaTech’s microbe-powered bioreactor into the company’s CarbonSmart ethanol, which will be converted to SAF by the company’s subsidiary LanzaJet.