LanzaTech selects Saltend Chemicals Park in Humberside, UK, as site for DRAGON II SAF project

The Saltend Chemicals Park in Humberside, U.K. (Photo: PX Group)

LanzaTech Global Inc. announced Jan. 28 that Saltend Chemicals Park in Humberside, U.K., is the intended location for its DRAGON II project—a £600 million (USD$829 million) investment to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel at scale.

DRAGON stands for Decarbonizing and Reimagining Aviation for the Goal of Net-Zero.

Once operational, DRAGON II is expected to deliver around 80,000 metric tons of SAF, about 1 percent of U.K. jet-fuel requirements, and 8,000 tons of renewable diesel annually.

Saltend Chemicals Park is owned by PX Group, part of the Ara Partners portfolio of companies specializing in industrial decarbonization investments.

PX Group offers world-class infrastructure, utilities, deep-water jetty access and a fully managed site-services platform, according to LanzaTech, and was selected after an exhaustive assessment of sites across the U.K.

Development of the DRAGON projects has been aided by strong U.K. government support.

In July, LanzaTech was awarded a £6.4 million (USD$8.84 million) grant from the Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund, which is helping to accelerate both DRAGON I and DRAGON II projects.

Project DRAGON features two complementary initiatives that both use the LanzaJet® alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) process: DRAGON I in Port Talbot, South Wales, and DRAGON II in Humberside.

LanzaTech also plans to produce 50,000 tons of ethanol to be processed at these facilities from sites in Milford Haven and Saltend using LanzaTech’s gas-fermentation technology.

This will convert waste carbon dioxide and green hydrogen into ethanol that will then leverage LanzaJet’s technology to convert that ethanol to produce a power-to-liquid (PtL) SAF.

The use of green hydrogen is dependent upon amendments to current rules for SAF production due to the high cost of the hydrogen required, the company stated.

The planned facility is scheduled to begin construction in the second half of 2027 and be operational during 2030, according to LanzaTech.

LanzaTech said it is exploring opportunities to collaborate with local partners and utilize the region’s extensive supply chains and emerging CO2 pipeline infrastructure and hydrogen production to maximize benefits to the region to reinforce Humberside’s position as a leader in industrial decarbonization.

“We are excited to bring LanzaTech’s carbon-recycling technology paired with our partner LanzaJet’s world-leading SAF production technology to Humberside,” said Jim Woodger, LanzaTech’s managing director. “We anticipate we will create around 300 high-quality, skilled jobs both during construction and in operation. We selected the PX Saltend Chemicals Park because it offers exceptional infrastructure for SAF production and the future prospect for hydrogen and CO2 pipelines and storage. The skills of the PX Group team also provides an excellent fit with LanzaTech.”

Geoff Holmes, CEO of PX Group, added, “This major investment from LanzaTech demonstrates Saltend’s continued attractiveness for world-first, low-carbon projects. Our plug-and-play model, deep technical expertise and unmatched site infrastructure allow pioneers like LanzaTech to deploy innovative projects at speed and scale. DRAGON II will further strengthen the Humber’s status as the U.K.’s energy estuary, delivering jobs and a resilient, net-zero future for the region.”