Partnership set to fuel sustainable aviation future

A partnership has launched to drive the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on Teesside.

Willis Sustainable Fuels (WSF) has selected Johnson Matthey (JM) and bp’s Fischer Tropsch (FT) CANS™ technology for its SAF facility at Dorman Point, on the Teesworks site.

Expected to be operational by 2028, bosses say the base will be the UK’s first of its kind, using biomethane feedstock processed into syngas with JM’s reforming technology. 

The syngas will power JM/bp’s FT CANS technology to produce synthetic crude oil, which can be upgraded and blended to SAF.

Officials say the facility, which will supply airlines at Teesside International Airport, will aim to generate 14,000 tonnes of SAF blendstock annually, helping turn the North East into “a leader in efforts to meet the UK SAF mandate”.

Alberto Giovanzana, Johnson Matthey managing director - licensing, said: “As a UK-headquartered company, we’re excited our technology has been selected to be part of this innovative UK project. 

“With our FT CANS development and testing facilities located in Teesside, and projects like this in development, we see the North East as a leader in efforts to meet the UK SAF mandate. 

“We look forward to working with Willis Sustainable Fuels to develop SAF in the region...and beyond.”

The project, one of five in Teesside to secure funding from the Department for Transport Advanced Fuels Fund, aligns with Teesside International Airport’s ambition to achieve net-zero flights by 2035 and become the UK’s first net-zero airport.

Amy Ruddock, senior vice president, sustainable aviation and corporate development at Willis Lease Finance Corporation, the parent company of WSF, added: “Partnering with Johnson Matthey and other industry leaders enables us to drive meaningful progress toward our vision of connecting the world through sustainable flight.

“This pioneering project will demonstrate the potential of our carbon shift pathway, which can leverage various sustainable feedstocks and be tailored to produce power-to-liquids – helping to shape the future of aviation fuels.”

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