Carbon capture leads to the production of a palm oil-like fat, marking a significant advancement in the realm of aviation fuel.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, LanzaTech, the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, and the Mibelle Group have developed an innovative technology that converts waste carbon dioxide (CO₂) into a palm oil-like fatty acid. This sustainable material offers a dual impact, reshaping the cosmetics industry and providing an additional tool for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production.

The new technology, which employs two consecutive fermentation processes, transforms CO₂ into alcohol and then into fats resembling palm oil, using naturally occurring, non-GMO microorganisms. This process not only opens the door to the HEFA pathway for SAF production, currently dependent on crops and waste oils with sustainability and supply limitations, but also offers a scalable replacement for palm oil, a controversial raw material due to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and carbon emissions.

Peter Mueller, CEO of the Mibelle Group, stated that this innovation is a result of their long-standing partnership with LanzaTech and underlines their commitment to taking responsibility for the future of the planet while making supply chains more robust. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech, has praised the Mibelle Group for their instrumental role in assembling partners for the development of this new technology.

Laboratory trials at Fraunhofer IGB and application tests at Mibelle have been successful, and production is now being scaled up at Fraunhofer's Center for Chemical-Biotechnological Processes in Leuna. This development extends far beyond aviation, as it provides a sustainable alternative to palm oil, reducing deforestation-linked supply chains in cosmetics and other industries.

The potential of this development is significant. By transforming ethanol into synthetic oils that can serve as HEFA feedstocks, LanzaTech's technology could diversify and strengthen SAF production. This approach could make airlines less dependent on traditional sources while addressing environmental concerns. The development of this new material is a milestone for the cosmetics industry and sets new standards for sustainability.

This dual impact highlights how circular carbon technologies can reshape multiple sectors at once. By converting waste CO₂ into valuable products, this innovation not only reduces carbon emissions but also offers a sustainable alternative to traditional raw materials. As production scales up, we can expect to see this technology making a significant impact in both the cosmetics industry and the aviation sector.

Carbon capture leads to the production of a palm oil-like fat, marking a significant advancement in the realm of aviation fuel.