Honeywell's ethanol-to-jet (ETJ) technology will be combined with GranBio Technologies’ patented cellulosic ethanol AVAP technology to produce carbon-neutral sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from biomass residues at GranBio's upcoming U.S. demonstration plant.
The U.S. Department of Energy awarded an $80 million grant to GranBio's subsidiary AVAPCO to support the demonstration plant, which is expected to produce approximately 2 million gallons of SAF per year, once operational by 2026.
While GranBio's technology converts biomass, including forest and agricultural residues, to pure low-cost, low-carbon-intensity sugars, lignin, and nanocellulose, Honeywell's ETJ technology helps alter the cellulosic sugars to SAF and biochemicals through a separate process.
Honeywell’s procedure helps minimize greenhouse gas emissions to net zero on a total lifecycle basis as compared to petroleum-based jet fuel using forest biomass-derived ethanol from GranBio's AVAP process.
"Combining our biorefinery expertise with Honeywell experience in developing and scaling fuel technologies will help ensure SAF supply goals while supporting GranBio's mission to provide integrated value chain solutions throughout the world for net zero SAF from biomass," said Bernardo Gradin, GranBio CEO. "The AVAP technology has great potential, depending on feedstock and plant configuration, to allow carbon negative SAF with current life cycle analysis."
GranBio's AVAP aims for worldwide net-zero SAF production by using biomass feedstocks and diversification of income streams through products beyond SAF and providing cost advantage as compared to other SAF producers.
Recently, Honeywell disclosed its target to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations and facilities by 2035. Honeywell's renewable fuels portfolio includes ethanol to jet technology, Honeywell UOP Ecofining, and Honeywell UOP eFining, which converts green hydrogen and carbon dioxide into eFuels.
