US clean fuels company Avina Clean Hydrogen announced a plan to invest USD 820 million (EUR 789.2m) to build a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility in Southwest Illinois capable of producing up to 120 million gallons annually.
The plant will utilise the alcohol-to-jet technology of Houston-based provider of science, technology and engineering solutions KBR (NYSE:KBR), along with existing rail and pipeline infrastructure, facilitating SAF delivery to major airports in the Midwest, including Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The project is expected to prevent an estimated 25 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually in aviation.
The investment is supported by the state’s Reimagining Energy and Vehicles (REV) programme, which provides competitive incentives to clean energy projects in Illinois.
“With the support of Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), this facility will position Illinois as a key player in the growing sustainable aviation fuel market,” Avina Clean Hydrogen’s CEO Vishal Shah said.
Avina designs, builds and operates clean fuel plants to serve industries such as aviation, maritime, and mobility. In November, the company broke ground on a hydrogen production plant coupled with a refuelling station in Southern California.