Honeywell and GranBio Technologies announced today that they will combine Honeywell’s Ethanol to Jet (ETJ) technology with GranBio’s AVAP cellulosic ethanol technology to produce carbon-neutral sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from biomass waste at GranBio’s upcoming demonstration plant in the US.
GranBio’s patented AVAP process converts biomass, including forest and agricultural residues, into pure, low-cost, low-carbon intensity sugars, lignin and nanocellulose and enables the production of carbon-neutral SAF. The cellulosic sugars are then converted into SAF using Honeywell’s ETJ technology, and into biochemical co-products through a separate process.
Using ethanol derived from forest biomass from the AVAP process as a feedstock, aviation fuel produced from Honeywell’s ethanol to aviation fuel process can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 100% on a total life cycle basis, compared to petroleum-based aviation fuel¹.
“Combining our biorefinery expertise with Honeywell’s experience in developing and scaling fuel technologies will help ensure SAF supply targets while supporting GranBio’s mission to provide integrated value chain solutions worldwide for carbon-neutral SAF from biomass,” said Bernardo Gradin, CEO of GranBio. “AVAP technology has great potential, depending on the raw material and plant configuration, to enable SAF with a negative carbon footprint, according to current carbon cycle analysis¹.”
“In addition, because of the vast forest and agricultural residues available for raw materials, there is enormous potential to modernize idle pulp and paper facilities in the US, revitalizing forest value chains and rural production with great social, environmental and economic impact,” he adds.
“GranBio’s low-carbon feedstock, coupled with Honeywell’s SAF expertise, will help decarbonize air travel,” says José Fernandes, president of Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies for Latin America. “Our advanced ETJ process is already in place and builds on Honeywell’s nearly twenty years of experience in renewable fuels. Honeywell’s renewable fuels solutions, including ETJ, incorporate integrated, modular designs that allow producers like GranBio to build new SAF capacity more than a year faster than is possible with traditional construction approaches.”
GranBio’s AVAP technology aims to enable Net Zero SAF production worldwide, utilizing abundant, low-cost biomass feedstocks and diversifying income streams through value-added products beyond SAF to provide a significant cost advantage over other SAF producers.
AVAPCO, a subsidiary of GranBio, was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to receive an $80 million grant to support the demonstration plant that will produce approximately 2 million gallons per year of SAF when it begins operations in 2026.
Honeywell now offers solutions in a variety of feedstocks to meet the growing demand for renewable fuels, including SAF. In addition to Honeywell UOP Ecofining, Honeywell’s renewable fuels portfolio includes Ethanol to Jet and the recently announced Honeywell UOP eFining™, which converts green hydrogen and carbon dioxide eFuels.
Honeywell recently committed to achieving carbon neutrality in its operations and facilities by 2035. This commitment builds on the company’s track record of sharply reducing greenhouse gas intensity in its operations and facilities, as well as its decades-long history of innovation to help its customers meet their environmental and social goals. Around 60% of Honeywell’s research and development investment for new product introductions in 2022 has been directed towards ESG-oriented outcomes for customers.
Honeywell
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) offers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials around the world. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, factories, supply chains and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer and more sustainable.