Gevo, Inc., and Axens have announced a strategic alliance to accelerate the development and commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through the ethanol-to-jet (ETJ) pathway. The partnership aims to leverage Axens’ Jetanol™ technology alongside Gevo’s patented ethanol-to-olefins (ETO) process, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs in SAF production.
The global SAF market is expanding as governments and businesses push for decarbonization in aviation. In 2024, global SAF production reached approximately 1 million tons, accounting for about 0.3% of total jet fuel consumption. Projections for 2025 estimate an increase to 2.1 million tons, representing 0.7% of global jet fuel usage.
By combining Axens’ Jetanol™ technology and Gevo’s ETO process, the new alliance is positioned to deliver one of the most cost-competitive SAF technologies available.
Dr. Paul Bloom, Chief Business Officer for Gevo, emphasized the importance of this collaboration:
“By expanding our partnership to accelerate the commercialization of Gevo’s ETO technology, we’re combining our industry expertise to further reduce costs and create SAF that is competitive with fossil fuels while capitalizing on the growing carbon market.”
With increasing focus on sustainability, Axens and Gevo’s strategic cooperation with IFPEN on the final development and commercial deployment of Gevo’s next-generation ETO process aims to position the companies as leaders in this space.
The implementation of Gevo’s ETO technology is expected to bring high-quality jobs and economic growth to rural America. If successfully commercialized, Gevo will lead its deployment in North America, while Axens will provide process licensing, catalyst, equipment, and engineering services on a global scale.
“The combination of Gevo’s market know-how and Axens’ best-in-class technology is expected to drive fast acceptance and adoption of the ETJ pathway,” said Quentin Debuisschert, CEO of Axens. “By advancing ETO technology, we are offering end-users and project developers the possibility to select the most attractive SAF solution for their needs.”
Despite the momentum in SAF production, challenges remain, including high production costs and limited feedstock availability. The EIA estimates that, with the right policies and investments, SAF could account for 65% of global aviation fuel demand by 2050, requiring an estimated 449 billion liters of production.
Gevo and Axens are confident that their alliance will help bridge this gap, ensuring that SAF becomes a viable, scalable alternative to fossil jet fuel.
