Humber, UK— In a significant development for sustainable aviation, OXCCU and px Group have announced plans for a new demonstration plant at Saltend Chemicals Park that will produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using a revolutionary process. This plant will utilize carbon dioxide and green hydrogen to generate SAF, streamlining the production process into a single step.
Innovative Approach to SAF Production
OXCCU, a climate-tech company spun out from the University of Oxford, has pioneered a method for direct carbon dioxide hydrogenation, turning CO2 into aviation fuel hydrocarbons with minimal byproducts. The new facility will produce approximately 160 kg (200 liters) of liquid fuel daily, predominantly SAF, using biogenic CO2 and green hydrogen. This method is particularly notable for its potential to reduce the complexity and cost associated with producing SAF.
Strategic Collaboration and Facility Details
px Group will handle the engineering design, construction of support facilities, and subsequent operations and maintenance of the plant. The facility is slated to begin operations in 2026 and is part of the UK’s broader effort to bolster its position as a global leader in SAF technology, following recent government initiatives.
Government Initiatives and Industry Impact
The UK Government has recently laid out a framework to support the development of commercial SAF plants, with aims to have at least five such facilities under construction by 2025. These efforts are seen as crucial to the UK’s sustainability targets and the global competitiveness of its aviation sector.
Geoff Holmes, CEO of px Group, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting that this project aligns with ongoing efforts to cut CO2 emissions and supports the UK’s sustainability goals. “This groundbreaking project with OXCCU further meets this commitment and demonstrates the confidence in Saltend as a pioneering center for industrial decarbonization projects,” said Holmes.
Andrew Symes, CEO of OXCCU, highlighted the strategic benefits of combining their novel technology with px Group’s advanced facilities. “This project will demonstrate CO2 and hydrogen directly converted into jet fuel-range hydrocarbons and the potential for much lower cost SAF,” Symes stated, underscoring the project’s potential impact on the aviation industry.
Broader Regional Development
This announcement comes on the heels of the Hydrogen-to-Humber H2H Saltend decarbonization project’s recent planning approval, emphasizing the Humber region’s growing status as an international hub for low carbon hydrogen production and significant carbon emission reductions.
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