Twelve Launches First U.S. Commercial E-Jet Fuel Plant
Twelve has started commercial operations at AirPlant One in Washington state, the first U.S. facility producing power-to-liquid sustainable aviation fuel and e-naphtha from captured carbon dioxide, water, and renewable electricity.
Twelve has officially opened AirPlant One in Moses Lake, Washington, marking the launch of what the company says is the first commercial-scale U.S. facility producing E-Jet sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from carbon dioxide, renewable electricity, and water. The plant is also producing E-Naphtha, a synthetic chemical feedstock used in plastics, packaging, solvents, and other industrial products.
The opening was celebrated alongside Alaska Airlines and Microsoft, two early partners that helped support the project through fuel purchase commitments and investments. AirPlant One has begun producing ASTM-certified jet fuel suitable for use in existing aircraft, engines, and airport infrastructure without modification, with Alaska Airlines planning to operate regular domestic flights using the fuel.
Twelve's technology uses a power-to-liquid process that converts captured CO2, water, and renewable electricity into hydrocarbon fuels. Unlike biofuel-based SAF pathways, which depend on agricultural feedstocks, the company argues its process relies on more abundant and scalable inputs while reducing exposure to feedstock constraints. According to Twelve, its E-Jet fuel can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 90% compared with conventional jet fuel.
The company also highlighted a potential commercial advantage for airlines. Because production costs are tied primarily to long-term electricity contracts rather than crude oil prices, Twelve said it can offer long-term fixed-price fuel agreements, providing greater cost predictability for carriers facing volatile fuel markets.
AirPlant One's second product, E-Naphtha, is intended to serve as a drop-in replacement for conventional fossil-derived naphtha. Twelve has previously demonstrated the material in pilot projects with companies including Mercedes-Benz, P&G, and apparel brand PANGAIA, producing components and consumer products derived from captured carbon.
The facility comes online as governments and airlines increase efforts to scale SAF production. Demand is expected to grow significantly due to emerging mandates in regions such as Europe and Singapore, where airlines are increasingly required to use sustainable aviation fuels. Twelve said AirPlant One demonstrates that commercial-scale power-to-liquid fuel production is now viable in the United States and could be replicated at additional sites as renewable power infrastructure expands.
By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com
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