United Bets on Sustainable Fuels: Strategic Investment in Twelve Boosts Carbon-Free Aviation
United Airlines announced a new investment in Twelve, a startup specializing in low-carbon fuels that has developed technology capable of converting CO₂ and water into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using renewable energy. This move is part of the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund, an initiative focused on accelerating the decarbonization of air travel.
AirPlant One: SAF Production Ready for Takeoff
The investment follows Twelve’s successful $83 million Series C funding round and the financing of its first production plant, AirPlant One, located in Moses Lake, Washington. The plant is expected to begin operations this year, with an initial capacity of 50,000 gallons of SAF annually.
Twelve’s transition from innovation to industrial deployment marks a milestone in the journey toward cleaner aviation. The company’s technology not only offers an alternative to fossil fuels but also has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional jet fuel.
Long-Term Agreement with European Airline Strengthens Viability
In 2023, Twelve signed a supply agreement with a European airline to deliver 260 million gallons of SAF over 14 years, intended to serve five airlines within its group. This long-term contract is a clear testament to the industry’s confidence in Twelve’s technology and its ability to meet both operational and environmental demands of modern air travel.
→ JetBlue and United Airlines Negotiate Possible Partnership
Technology Inspired by Nature
Twelve’s process mimics photosynthesis. It uses renewable energy to combine captured carbon from the air with hydrogen extracted from water, creating the building blocks for fuels, plastics, and other materials. This innovation reduces reliance on fossil fuels, cutting emissions associated with both production and end-use.
Andrew Chang, Director of United Airlines Ventures®, explained, “Scaling the SAF industry is the biggest challenge aviation faces to increase supply and lower prices for low-emission fuel.” Chang emphasized that Twelve stands out due to its successful fundraising and signed contracts, enabling rapid progress toward commercialization.
Nicholas Flanders, Co-founder and CEO of Twelve, stated, “With AirPlant One about to go live and a strong partnership with United, we’re not just imagining the decarbonization of air travel—we’re building it.”
The investment in Twelve is part of the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund, a pioneering financial vehicle with over $200 million in commitments from United and allied companies across various sectors. Partners include Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Boeing, Embraer, GE Aerospace, Google, Honeywell, JetBlue Ventures, Safran Corporate Ventures, and others.
This fund was created to support startups focused on sustainable flight technologies, representing a concrete and collective strategy to reduce the carbon footprint of global air travel.
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