United Airlines Ventures, which works with emerging companies to develop sustainable solutions and emerging technologies for the aerospace industry, yesterday announced its investment in NEXT Renewable Fuels, which is preparing to build a flagship biofuel refinery In Oregon, with production due to start in 2026.
NEXT plans to construct a refinery capable of producing up to 50 000 barrels a day of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable diesel and other renewable fuel, while UAV is looking at investing up to US$37,5million (R646m), provided the fuel company achieves certain milestones.
The airline said once all the necessary approvals and permits had been obtained and the biorefinery was operational, it had the potential to be used as a platform to set standards for the production of SAF and make use of additional future technologies.
This announcement marks AUV’s fifth SAF-related technology investment and its first direct investment in a biorefinery.
