LanzaTech Gets US$3 Million Contract from FAA for Alcohol to Jet Project

Roselle, Illinois, December 1, 2011 - LanzaTech has received a US$3 million contract from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), through the Department of Transportation's John A. Volpe Center, to accelerate commercial availability of the next generation of alternative aviation fuel.

LanzaTech's unique, clean energy technology enables low cost production of sustainable alcohols and chemicals from waste gas resources that are completely outside the food value chain.

These alcohols are then converted, using technology from LanzaTech’s partner Swedish Biofuels, to jet fuel that is fully equivalent to petroleum jet fuel, or that can be blended with petroleum.

Dr Jennifer Holmgren, LanzaTech’s chief executive, says the program will accelerate the commercialization of alcohol to jet (ATJ) technologies by providing critical fuel data and assessing US production opportunities.

“We will introduce new fuel feedstock resources that can be used to enable both military and civilian aviation sectors to meet their carbon and cost goals, " Dr Holmgren says.

This project will use heavy industry gases and synthesis gas derived from lignin, a byproduct of cellulosic ethanol. The use of lignin opens up a new biomass waste stream for making economic jet fuel.

LanzaTech will be joined by both Imperium and Battelle in Richland, Washington, which will assess potential US commercial production sites and resources. Michigan Technological University will assess the life cycle benefits of the integration process.

A key goal of the project is to produce 100+ gallons of alternative jet fuel for testing by the US Air Force Research Laboratory. Test data will be used as part the certification process for alcohol to jet (ATJ) fuels.

Professor Angelica Hull, Managing Director of Swedish Biofuels, says the project aims to increase the raw material base for the production of alternative fuels in aviation.

“The pathway to jet fuel with alcohol as an intermediate is proving to be a versatile way of producing advanced hydrocarbon fuels,” she says.

John Plaza, CEO of Imperium, says with FAA providing this grant to this consortium of industry leaders significant progress can be made toward the certification of ATJ, with near term viable commercial production pathways,” he says.

About LanzaTech:
Founded in New Zealand in 2005, LanzaTech has developed a novel gas-liquid fermentation process that produces fuels and chemicals from gas resources. Backed by global investment, LanzaTech employs a strong technical team based in the USA, China and New Zealand and has a rapidly growing patent portfolio. LanzaTech's technology enables energy partnerships between multiple industries. With agreements now in place across a variety of sectors internationally, including steel, coal, refining and chemicals, LanzaTech’s technology is being scaled to commercial production.
www.lanzatech.com

About Swedish Biofuels
Swedish Biofuels AB (Stockholm, Sweden) specialises in the research, development, and deployment of alternative fuels for the transport industry. Since 2001, the company has developed products and technology for the production of fully synthetic drop-in fuels, including gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel, from a wide variety of nonfood feedstocks, including lignocellulosic biomass. These products and technologies are supported by a wide ranging patent portfolio.

About Imperium Renewables
Imperium Renewables, Inc. (IRI) was founded in 2004 to commercialize a novel and innovative design for biodiesel refining, with a focus on fuel quality and environmental sustainability. Today, Imperium Renewables is a national leader in next generation biofuel production.

About Battelle, Richland Washington
Battelle is the world's largest non-profit independent research and development organization. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle oversees 20,400 employees in more than 130 locations worldwide. Battelle has managed the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash., since the laboratory's inception in 1965.

About Michigan Technological University
Founded in 1885, Michigan Technological University is a leader in technology, engineering, and scientific degree programs, and a leading research university.

ENDS

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