United Airlines Ventures backs Twelve to make Sustainable Aviation Fuel from CO₂

Key Takeaways

• United Airlines Ventures invests in Twelve’s SAF tech, promising up to 90% emission reduction versus fossil jet fuel.
• Twelve’s AirPlant One in Washington will produce 50,000 gallons of sustainable aviation fuel annually using captured CO2 and renewable energy.
• A 14-year, 260-million-gallon SAF deal was secured between Twelve and International Airlines Group; major contracts show industry commitment.

United Airlines Ventures, a key investment arm of United Airlines, has taken a major step in supporting cleaner aviation by investing in Twelve, a company based in California 🇺🇸. Twelve is working on making sustainable aviation fuel, also known as SAF, from carbon dioxide (CO2), water, and renewable electricity. This new way of making jet fuel could help cut down the greenhouse gases that planes release into the air. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this partnership marks a shift in the aviation industry’s efforts to lower its impact on the environment by using technology to replace traditional, fossil-based fuels.

Twelve uses a special process to turn CO2 from the air, together with water and electricity from wind or solar power, into a fuel that planes can use. Their work is supported by the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund. This fund aims to help new companies that show promise in making aviation more eco-friendly. The goal is not only to reduce pollution, but also to help the industry meet international climate goals.

Let’s look at how this partnership works, what Twelve is doing differently, and what these changes could mean for travelers, airline workers, and the world.

How Twelve Makes Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Twelve’s main technology is a special kind of reactor named “OPUS.” In simple terms, this reactor takes in carbon dioxide that has been captured from the air, and water. Using renewable electricity, OPUS changes these ingredients into hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are the basic building blocks of fuels that planes and cars run on.

This process is a bit like what plants do in nature, known as photosynthesis. However, instead of using sunshine, Twelve’s technology uses electricity. Plants use sunlight to turn CO2 and water into sugars; Twelve’s reactor uses electricity to make the raw material for jet fuel straight from CO2 and water.

This sustainable aviation fuel has big advantages compared to ordinary jet fuel:

• It could lower greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% over its full life cycle, from creation to use.
• It is not made from fossil fuels, so it does not add more ancient carbon into today’s air.
• It can replace “regular” jet fuel in today’s planes, so airlines do not need to change their engines or buy new planes.

This way of making fuel is often called “power-to-liquid” or “e-fuel.” It gets much of its energy from clean sources like solar or wind power, instead of oil or gas. This is important because it means the process is not tied to oil drilling, and it does not need farmland to grow crops for biofuels.

Building the First Commercial Plant: AirPlant One

Twelve is getting ready to open its first big facility for making this kind of fuel, called AirPlant One. This plant is in Moses Lake, Washington 🇺🇸. Once up and running, it will be able to produce about 50,000 gallons of sustainable aviation fuel each year.

50,000 gallons is a start—it is only a small slice of what airlines need to fly all their routes. However, it is a step toward showing that the technology works not just in a lab, but also on a larger scale.

Twelve is not working alone. The company has reached important agreements to sell its fuel over the long term, which shows that big players in the industry believe in what Twelve is doing. For example:

• Twelve signed a 14-year deal with a leading European airline group, International Airlines Group (which owns British Airways). Over 14 years, Twelve will deliver about 260 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel to them. This is one of the largest contracts of its type in the world.
• Twelve also has partnerships with well-known companies like Shopify, Alaska Airlines, and Microsoft for supplying E-Jet® fuel, which is what they call their sustainable jet fuel.

These contracts give confidence to investors and partners that there will be strong demand for the fuel once it is ready.

United Airlines Ventures and the Push for Clean Fuel

United Airlines Ventures did not just choose any company to support. They looked for companies with a real chance to make a difference in reducing emissions from flying. With its focus on proven technology and large-scale agreements, Twelve stands out. United Airlines Ventures wants to offer reliable supplies of low-carbon fuels as a way to bridge the time until aircraft that run with zero emissions become available for everyone.

The sustainable aviation fuel made by Twelve has another big selling point: it can go straight into current jet engines. There is no need for airlines to change their planes or set up new systems at airports. This kind of “drop-in” fuel uses the same supply lines and airport tools as regular jet fuel.

Many other methods of making sustainable fuel depend on crops like corn or algae, or on leftover cooking oil and animal fat. Twelve’s way does not require farmland or create new stress on the food supply. This decreases competition with food crops and helps keep the process friendly to people and the planet.

Andrew Chang, who leads United Airlines Ventures, explained the importance of growing the sustainable fuel industry:
“Scaling the SAF industry is the major hurdle air travel needs to clear in order to increase supply and reduce price…Twelve has differentiated themselves through their capital raised and contracts secured.”

This quote supports the idea that the industry needs more producers of sustainable fuel to meet demand and bring prices down.

Lifelong Benefits for the Industry and the Environment

If more plants like AirPlant One get built, and if more companies follow Twelve’s example, the impact could be huge. Here’s what could happen:

• Airlines could cut their emissions sharply, helping them meet tough climate targets set by governments, regulators, and the public.
• Prices for sustainable aviation fuel could drop if more is made and more airlines use it.
• New jobs could be created in plant operations and fuel delivery, especially in places that host facilities like AirPlant One.
• The pressure on farmland and food crops for making biofuel would go down, since Twelve’s process does not compete with food supplies.

For travelers, this shift may not make tickets cheaper right away. However, it could mean you’re flying on planes powered by cleaner energy. Some routes may even highlight that they use sustainable aviation fuel from companies like Twelve.

For those working in the aviation industry, this change could help keep their jobs secure in a future where governments and customers want lower emissions. By using fuels like those made by Twelve, airlines show they are ready to do their part in tackling climate change.

Global Impact and Outlook for Immigration

These advancements also have a wider influence. As United Airlines Ventures helps Twelve expand its production, the opportunities go beyond fuel. Jobs related to new energy plants, technology, and innovation may attract skilled workers from across the world. Moses Lake, Washington 🇺🇸 could become a hub for green technology, offering work to locals and newcomers alike.

When companies grow in this way, they often bring workers from different backgrounds, both from the United States 🇺🇸 and other countries. This can help local communities grow and become more diverse. People who have the skills to build, run, and manage these new fuel plants will be in high demand.

For people thinking about moving for work in the green energy field, this new push from United Airlines Ventures and Twelve could open up new immigration paths. Skilled immigrants may be able to use existing visa rules for experts in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The United States 🇺🇸 already has special visa programs for such skilled workers. Details about these can be found at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services official website, which lays out how temporary and permanent work visas are handled.

With companies like Twelve leading the way, the United States 🇺🇸 may see more international talent interested in coming to work on green technology. This could also motivate local students to study subjects like chemistry, engineering, and renewable energy, preparing them for the jobs of the future.

The Bigger Picture: Aviation, Climate, and the Role of Airlines

Globally, airlines are under greater pressure to reduce their emissions. Traditional jet fuel from oil is a big source of greenhouse gases. Sustainable aviation fuel made from power-to-liquid processes like Twelve’s is one way to address this problem without waiting years or decades for new types of airplanes to be designed and tested.

The 14-year agreement between Twelve and International Airlines Group is among the largest worldwide. Long-term deals like this show airlines are serious about using SAF in their daily flights. Airlines that use cleaner fuels help set new industry standards and encourage others to follow.

The United States 🇺🇸 has special funds and programs to encourage the use of sustainable aviation fuel. United Airlines Ventures’ investment is a strong sign that the private sector supports these goals. If this approach can be copied in other places, it could lead to:

• More production plants being built worldwide.
• A drop in the cost of sustainable aviation fuel as production goes up.
• Less pollution from planes, which is better for everyone’s health and the climate.

What’s Next?

• Twelve’s AirPlant One will soon begin producing fuel for commercial use.
• United Airlines Ventures and its partners are expected to announce more deals as the supply of sustainable aviation fuel grows.
• Regulators and government bodies may create new policies or incentives to support the use of SAF.

Travelers should keep an eye out for airlines advertising routes powered by fuel from Twelve. Job seekers in science and engineering can look for roles in this growing field. Policymakers will likely respond with updated rules to guide the shift from fossil fuels to sustainable options.

Short Summary Table

Summary and Final Thoughts

The link between United Airlines Ventures, Twelve, and sustainable aviation fuel is an example of how big problems like climate change can be tackled with practical action and investment. Twelve’s way of making jet fuel from CO2, water, and renewable energy points to a future where flights are cleaner, jobs are greener, and new opportunities open up for skilled workers of all backgrounds.

While there is still a long way to go to meet all of the world’s flying needs with this new type of fuel, the steps taken by both companies show what can be done when the airline industry, investors, and technology leaders work together. As more airlines and tech firms join similar efforts, the dream of zero-emission flights comes closer to reality—one gallon of sustainable aviation fuel at a time.

Learn Today

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) → A cleaner jet fuel alternative made from renewable sources, cutting up to 90% of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels.
OPUS Reactor → Twelve’s unique electrochemical device converting captured CO2 and water into hydrocarbons using renewable electricity for jet fuel production.
Power-to-Liquid → A process that transforms captured carbon dioxide and renewable energy into liquid synthetic fuels usable in standard aircraft engines.
Drop-in Fuel → A fuel compatible with existing aircraft engines and infrastructure, requiring no modifications to planes or airport systems for use.
International Airlines Group (IAG) → A leading European airline group owning British Airways, engaging in long-term agreements to purchase sustainable aviation fuel.

This Article in a Nutshell

United Airlines Ventures is investing in Twelve, a California company pioneering sustainable aviation fuel derived from CO2, water, and renewable energy. Their innovative process may reduce airline emissions by up to 90%. Major contracts and the upcoming AirPlant One facility signal transformative growth for clean aviation, jobs, and global impact.
— By VisaVerge.com

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