LanzaTech Secures 53% Non-Controlling Stake in LanzaJet Following Launch of World’s First Commercial Ethanol-to-Jet Fuel Plant
LanzaTech Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: LNZA), a key player in carbon transformation technology, has significantly deepened its commitment to the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) market by increasing its holdings in LanzaJet, Inc. to a 53% non-controlling ownership stake.
The announcement, made on December 22, 2025, solidifies LanzaTech’s position relative to LanzaJet, a leading provider of SAF technology and a fuels producer. The increase in ownership follows a major operational milestone: the successful commissioning and production of ASTM-certified sustainable fuels at LanzaJet's flagship facility.
Strategic Milestone: First Commercial Ethanol-to-Jet Plant
The catalyst for the increased stake was the successful launch of LanzaJet's Freedom Pines Fuels facility, located in Soperton, Georgia. This facility has achieved the production of ASTM-certified sustainable fuels, including Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (SPK) and Renewable Diesel (RD).
The Freedom Pines Fuels site holds a critical distinction in the global energy transition landscape: it is the world's first commercial-scale plant specifically designed to produce jet fuel from ethanol. This achievement marks a significant step forward in decarbonizing the aviation sector, which faces intense pressure to reduce its carbon footprint.
The Importance of ASTM Certification
The production of ASTM-certified fuels is essential for market viability. ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) sets the global standard for materials, products, systems, and services. For aviation fuels, certification ensures the product meets stringent safety and performance requirements necessary for use in commercial aircraft engines.
- Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (SPK): This is the primary component of SAF, designed to be blended with traditional jet fuel (Jet A or Jet A-1) without requiring modifications to existing aircraft or infrastructure.
- Renewable Diesel (RD): A drop-in fuel that can be used in conventional diesel engines, further diversifying the output and commercial appeal of the Georgia facility.
LanzaTech’s core technology focuses on capturing carbon emissions—often industrial waste gases—and converting them into useful products, including ethanol. LanzaJet then utilizes this ethanol feedstock to produce SAF via its proprietary Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) process, creating a circular economy pathway for aviation fuel production.
Implications for the Sustainable Aviation Market
The successful operation of the Soperton facility and LanzaTech’s increased ownership stake signal growing maturity and commercial readiness within the SAF industry. While the 53% stake is non-controlling, it grants LanzaTech a majority economic interest in a company that is pioneering commercial-scale ethanol-to-jet fuel production.
The aviation industry is heavily reliant on SAF to meet ambitious climate targets, such as the U.S. government's goal of producing three billion gallons of SAF annually by 2030. Facilities like Freedom Pines Fuels are crucial to scaling up supply and driving down the cost of these alternative fuels.
The strategic alignment between LanzaTech, the carbon transformation technology provider, and LanzaJet, the fuels producer, streamlines the value chain from waste carbon capture to final fuel product. This integration is expected to accelerate the deployment of similar ATJ facilities globally, leveraging LanzaTech’s foundational technology to meet rising demand for environmentally friendly aviation alternatives.
