‘Will revolutionize the global aviation industry’

Imagine traveling on your next vacation knowing your flight will be powered by cleaner fuel. That future is closer than you think, thanks to an innovative development in sustainable aviation fuel.

Summit Next Gen, a subsidiary of Iowa-based Summit Agricultural Group, has revealed plans for the world’s largest jet fuel ethanol plant. This massive 60-acre facility, slated to be built in the Houston Ship Channel in Texas, aims to produce 250 million gallons of SAF per year.

“The 60-acre facility will revolutionize the global aviation industry by providing a scalable supply of low-carbon jet fuel,” said Kapil Kajal of Interesting Engineering. This bold statement underscores the project’s potential to reshape air travel as we know it.

Which of the following sustainable changes would increase your likelihood of choosing a particular airline?

Using cleaner fuel

Reducing in-flight waste

Making it easier to choose low-emission itineraries

I don’t pay attention to sustainability when I fly

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But what makes this project so unique? It’s all about scale and innovation. By converting ethanol into aviation fuel, this plant offers a solution to one of the most complicated challenges in combating air pollution: decarbonizing air travel.

The aviation industry currently consumes more than 100 billion gallons of jet fuel per year, a number that is expected to double over the next two decades. Traditional jet fuel is a major polluter. That’s where SAF comes in: it’s a cleaner alternative, reducing pollution by up to 80% compared to conventional aviation fuel.

The Summit Next Gen facility will use Honeywell’s jet ethanol technology to make this transformation happen, per IE. This process can work with ethanol from a variety of sources, including corn, sugar and even cellulosic material. It’s a drop-in replacement, meaning planes can use it without engine modifications.

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This advancement is a win for American farmers. The project creates a new market for low-carbon ethanol producers, supporting rural economies while advancing sustainability goals.

So when can we expect to see these clearer skies? According to IE, Summit Next Gen plans to make its final investment decision by mid-2025, with the plant aiming to begin operations in 2027. This timeline aligns with the growing demand for SAF, driven by initiatives such as the SAF Grand Challenge of the Biden administration and the European Union’s push for sustainable aviation fuels.

For everyday travelers, this means that your future flights could have a much smaller carbon footprint, without any change to your travel experience. It’s a perfect example of how innovation can help us live more sustainably, without sacrificing the activities we love.

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