Gevo Inc. has announced that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has purchased Gevo's renewable alcohol-to-jet fuel (ATJ) for aviation use at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Gevo's ATJ is manufactured at its demonstration biorefinery located in Silsbee, Texas, using renewable isobutanol produced at its Luverne, Minnesota, isobutanol plant. The biorefinery, where Gevo also produces bioparaxylene and bioisooctane, is operated in conjunction with South Hampton Resources.

Since its founding, NASA has been dedicated to the advancement of aeronautics and space technologies. Over the past several years, NASA has been studying the effects of alternate biofuels on engine performance, emissions and aircraft-generated contrails at altitudes typically flown by commercial airliners. Results from recent tests showed that a blend of renewable jet fuel and standard jet fuel significantly reduced emissions, as compared to using standard jet fuel alone, while not affecting flight operations.

“Gevo's patented ATJ fuel is a true drop-in fuel, designed to be fully compliant with aviation fuel specifications and provide equal performance, including fit-for-purpose properties and engine compatibility,” said Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo. “It is exciting to be working with NASA, a true leader in innovation worldwide.”

“Through testing initiatives, partners such as Lufthansa and the U.S. military are looking to certify our ATJ and accelerate its full-scale commercialization,” Gruber added. “ATJ from Gevo’s isobutanol is a clean burning, homegrown, drop-in jet fuel enabling a route to deliver aviation biofuels at scale and at a competitive cost.”