Ethanol-to-aviation fuel facility opens in Soperton

LanzaJet, a sustainable aviation fuel company, has opened the world’s first ethanol to sustainable aviation fuel production facility, Freedom Pines Fuels, in Soperton.

SOPERTON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — LanzaJet, a sustainable aviation fuel company, has opened the world’s first ethanol to sustainable aviation fuel production facility, Freedom Pines Fuels, in Soperton.

The technology used at the plant is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70 percent.

“So this fuel replaces fossil jet fuel,” LanzaJet CEO Jimmy Samartzis said. “It has the exact same characteristics as traditional jet fuel, because we want it to work in existing infrastructure and on existing aircraft and existing engines. So you don’t need to change any of that, so the beauty of this is it has the same characteristics, but it is cleaner.”

The opening of the facility is not only benefiting the climate but also the city of Soperton.

“It is going to bring in money to the county and to the city,” John Koon said. “The big impact is that people will know that LanzaJet is in Soperton and Treutlen County, Georgia.”