In the United States (US), SAFFiRE Renewables, LLC (SAFFiRE) has broken ground on its pilot plant at Conestoga Energy’s Arkalon Energy facility in Liberal, Kansas (KS), marking a significant step in SAFFiRE’s journey to transform corn stover into an abundant low carbon feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel.
Once finished, the pilot plant in Liberal will be capable of processing 10 tons of corn stover per day, yielding cellulosic ethanol that can be upgraded into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with a carbon footprint at least 83 percent lower than conventional jet fuel.
Today’s groundbreaking event marks a significant milestone for SAFFiRE Renewables. Our priority now is to complete the construction of our pilot plant, with a target of Q4 2025, and begin operations. We’re very fortunate to have great partners who are equally committed to the success of SAFFiRE, including Southwest Airlines, Conestoga Energy, LanzaJet, the National Renewable Energy Lab, and the Department of Energy. There is still a lot of work to do, but we are prepared and excited for the path ahead, said Tom Nealon, CEO of SAFFiRE Renewables.
SAFFiRE utilizes exclusive technology developed by the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) with funding from Southwest Airlines, and the Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO).
This pilot plant shows that public-private investments can put steel in the ground for pioneering SAF facilities. It has been a pleasure to see DOE funding translate into industry milestones that directly support the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious SAF Grand Challenge, which aims to decarbonize the aviation sector, said BETO Director Dr Valerie Sarisky-Reed.
By transforming corn stover into ethanol, SAFFiRE’s novel technology approach has the potential to fuel aviation’s sustainable transition and position US agriculture and ethanol industries at the forefront of SAF growth.
This plant has the potential to be a big step for Kansas—and a huge leap for the entire biofuels industry. SAF is a multi-billion-dollar opportunity that would be transformational for the economy. America’s energy future needs it, our climate goals require it, and our rural communities—including right here in Kansas—sure deserve it, said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, who was on hand to congratulate SAFFiRE and Conestoga on their partnership.
