LanzaTech reaches 53% noncontrolling ownership milestone in LanzaJet

LanzaTech Global Inc. announced Dec. 22 an increase in its holdings of LanzaJet Inc., a leading sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technology provider and fuels producer, to 53 percent.

This announcement follows the successful commissioning and production of ASTM-certified sustainable fuels including synthetic paraffinic kerosene (SPK) and renewable diesel at LanzaJet’s Freedom Pines Fuels facility in Soperton, Georgia, the world’s first commercial-scale plant to produce jet fuel from ethanol. 

On Dec. 16, LanzaTech received its final tranches of LanzaJet common stock, which brings the company’s ownership percentage and noncontrolling interest in LanzaJet to 53 percent.  

These issuances of common stock were made pursuant to an amended and restated investment agreement and represent the final equity tranches under that agreement.

The shares were issued in accordance with preagreed terms and do not reflect any new capital investment by LanzaTech. 

This ownership increase is in accordance with a previously signed agreement that allowed LanzaJet to further sublicense the alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology in exchange for additional equity issued to LanzaTech. 

LanzaTech’s platform, originally developed in collaboration with the Pacific Northwest National Lab and the U.S. DOE, enables the production of ethanol from a variety of carbon sources, including agricultural residues, which LanzaJet can use to produce SAF using its industry-leading ATJ technology.  

By utilizing a diverse array of domestic and waste feedstocks, including those from the agricultural sector, this approach has the potential to both reduce aviation emissions by up to 85 percent and strengthen supply-chain resilience and energy security.  

Through distributed production and flexible sourcing, LanzaTech and LanzaJet are striving to open new economic opportunities for rural communities and fortify the reliability and sustainability of fuel supply chains. 

LanzaTech’s strategic decision to spin out LanzaJet in 2020 was driven by a vision to accelerate the development and deployment of ethanol-to-jet solutions.  

Today, with a 53 percent ownership stake, LanzaTech is reinforcing its commitment to LanzaJet’s success and to scaling this vital technology worldwide. 

“LanzaTech’s increased stake in LanzaJet comes at an important time for the sustainable fuels sector,” said Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech and chair of LanzaJet. “The success of LanzaJet’s Freedom Pine’s facility shows that ethanol from diverse domestic and recycled feedstocks—such as waste gases, municipal solid waste, captured CO2 with hydrogen, and agricultural residues—can be converted into sustainable aviation fuel. We believe that this innovation not only expands supply options but also establishes ethanol as a vital connector between distributed carbon sources and global aviation markets.”  

The SAF industry remains capital-intensive and subject to evolving regulatory and market dynamics.  

LanzaJet, like many in the sector, is managing operational and financial pressures as it scales.  

LanzaTech’s increased equity interest does not imply a change in governance or control. 

LanzaTech and LanzaJet continue to collaborate on new projects and licensing opportunities via their CirculAir™ offering, leveraging the strengths of both organizations to work towards delivering new energy solutions and driving lasting impact in the aviation industry.