Avina Synthetic Aviation Fuel has partnered with Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) to build the nation’s first on-airport sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility.
The project will use an alcohol-to-jet process, leveraging PureSAF™ technology, developed by Swedish Biofuels AB and licensed by KBR.
The facility will be located just south of PIT’s terminal and will turn alcohol from renewable sources into jet fuel, which aircraft will be able to use without any changes to their engines.
Hari Ravindran, KBR’s Global SVP for Technology said:KBR is proud to support the Pittsburgh International Airport team and enable it to be one of the first airports globally to provide SAF to its customers by producing it onsite at the airport.
PureSAF (alcohol-to-jet) Technology, is designed to allow the facility to deliver 100% drop-in fuel made from renewable feedstocks while meeting global specifications for sustainable jet fuel. This project is a real example of how innovation and strong business relationships are delivering tangible benefits to the aviation industry.
Once finished, the plant is expected to produce over 100 million gallons of SAF each year. The fuel will have at least 65% lower carbon emissions than regular jet fuel.
The project is also expected to create hundreds of full-time jobs.
Vishal Shah, Founder and CEO of Avina said:Avina is excited to support the vision of Pittsburgh International Airport and bring a SAF production facility to their doorstep. We are committed to bringing hundreds of jobs to the community and expanding the energy production ecosystem. With Pittsburgh’s commercial and cargo demand along with the network to connect to the other regional hubs, we aim to set the platform for such developments nationally and globally.
This development supports PIT’s goals to lead in energy and sustainability, helping airlines reduce their emissions and meet climate targets.
Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh said:Pittsburgh International Airport has long been committed to resiliency and driving innovation in the aviation and energy industries.
This unique partnership with Avina and KBR will result in on-site SAF production and fills a growing need for our airline partners and the industry overall. With abundant natural resources, robust energy infrastructure, and available fuel storage, PIT is uniquely positioned to meet these goals and serve the growing demands for SAF.
Construction will take place in phases, with the goal of meeting both local and regional fuel needs.
Several major companies in the aviation industry support the project. Boeing, one of the world’s largest aircraft makers, welcomed the move.
Mike Caston, Director, Americas Partnerships and Policy, Boeing said:In pursuit of responsible and resilient growth in aerospace, Boeing supports the development of advanced, synthetic fuels here in the U.S. to power air travel into the future.
