Thursday, May 8, 2025
United Airlines has made a significant commitment to advancing the future of sustainable aviation by investing in Twelve, an innovative company that develops low-carbon aviation fuel through a unique process inspired by photosynthesis. This breakthrough method converts carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by utilizing renewable energy sources. United’s investment supports its broader initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in air travel and to support the decarbonization of the aviation industry.
The airline’s funding comes through the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund, which is dedicated to promoting pioneering technologies that aim to reduce the environmental footprint of air travel. This investment follows Twelve’s successful $83 million Series C funding round, along with financial backing for its first SAF production plant, AirPlant™ One, located in Moses Lake, Washington. Expected to begin production later this year, the facility is set to produce 50,000 gallons of SAF annually. “Scaling up the SAF industry is the primary challenge to increasing the supply and reducing the cost of lower-carbon fuels,” stated Andrew Chang, head of United Airlines Ventures®. “Twelve’s strong capital position and the SAF contracts they have secured give them the flexibility to expand their operations rapidly.”
A Game-Changing Partnership to Accelerate SAF Production
Twelve’s innovative SAF production process has already drawn attention from prominent industry leaders. In 2024, the company signed a 14-year agreement with a major European airline to supply 260 million gallons of SAF to five key airlines, underscoring the growing demand for sustainable fuel alternatives in the aviation sector.
This partnership with Twelve aligns seamlessly with United Airlines’ broader sustainability initiatives, as the airline continues to explore cutting-edge technologies to reduce the carbon emissions of air travel. The SAF created by Twelve is projected to offer a 90% reduction in lifecycle emissions compared to conventional jet fuels, making it a much more sustainable alternative.
“United’s investment via the Sustainable Flight Fund strengthens our progress at a critical juncture as we transition from innovation to implementation,” said Nicholas Flanders, co-founder and CEO of Twelve. “With the imminent launch of AirPlant One and our collaboration with United, we’re not just imagining decarbonized air travel—we’re actively building it. Twelve is paving a viable path toward carbon-neutral aviation, balancing both operational needs and climate goals.”
Twelve’s Technological Breakthrough
The technology behind Twelve’s sustainable aviation fuel relies on renewable electricity to combine atmospheric carbon with hydrogen from water. This creates not only the building blocks for fuel but also materials such as plastics. By using captured carbon, water, and renewable energy, this process significantly reduces the greenhouse gas emissions tied to traditional fuel production.
This revolutionary approach offers a sustainable and scalable solution to the aviation sector’s reliance on fossil fuels. As the world grapples with climate change, Twelve’s method holds promise as a long-term solution for reducing aviation’s environmental impact.
United Airlines’ Sustainable Flight Fund
The investment in Twelve is part of the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund, a $200 million initiative aimed at supporting startups dedicated to decarbonizing the aviation industry. The fund, which includes partnerships with major industry players such as Air Canada, Boeing, Embraer, and Google, is designed to accelerate the development of sustainable aviation technologies, including SAF, electric aircraft, and other eco-friendly innovations.
The fund’s primary goal is to fast-track the deployment of these technologies by pooling resources from across the aviation and technology sectors, helping to reduce aviation’s environmental impact.
The Future of SAF and Decarbonization
As airlines strive to meet ambitious sustainability targets, the demand for SAF is expected to rise sharply. United Airlines’ investment in Twelve and its collaborative efforts with other industry leaders reflect the growing importance of sustainable fuel alternatives in the aviation sector. The development of AirPlant™ One and Twelve’s ongoing technological advancements signal a promising future for SAF production.
The aviation industry’s commitment to reducing emissions will depend heavily on partnerships like this one, which help propel innovation and scale. United Airlines and its Sustainable Flight Fund are at the forefront of this movement, driving a greener, more sustainable future for air travel. The success of Twelve’s SAF production and its long-term agreements with major airline partners represent a pivotal step in the aviation sector’s journey toward decarbonization.
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