OXCCU’s 1st SAF blend component tested, verified by Intertek
OXCCU, a cleantech company spun out of the University of Oxford, announced Oct. 21 that it has produced its first samples of a finished synthetic blend component for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blending.
The fuel was tested to international standards by chemical and fuel-analysis partner Intertek, marking what OXCCU said is “another key milestone in its journey to commercializing cost-effective, scalable SAF.”
The successful testing demonstrates that OXCCU’s synthetic blend component, made using its proprietary catalyst and one-step CO2-to-fuel process, meets ASTM D7566 Annex A4 specifications for Fischer-Tropsch synthesized kerosine with aromatics (FT-SPK/A), an internationally recognized synthetic blending component specification that “mirrors conventional Jet A/A-1 closely,” OXCCU stated. “Intertek’s analysis confirms that OXCCU’s fuel possesses physical and chemical properties required for FT-SPK/A.”
While further testing and optimization are ongoing, OXCCU said this early validation reinforces the potential of its technology to produce a 100 percent drop-in SAF blendstock as well as significantly reduce capital and operating costs.
“We have demonstrated our ability to make all four of the components that make up jet fuel using OXCCU’s iron FT technology—paraffins, isoparaffins, cycloparaffins and aromatics,” said Andrew Symes, CEO of OXCCU. “This means it is a truly drop-in sustainable aviation fuel. Other technologies such as cobalt FT or methanol-to-jet will only make two of the components, paraffins and isoparaffins. This milestone strengthens confidence in our SAF product.”
Liam Mills, Intertek’s sustainable hydrocarbon specialist, added, “Current paraffinic SAF pathways face blending limitations because key fuel properties can fall outside specification. While 50 percent HEFA-SPK blends are achievable using conventional fuels with favorable properties, future blending will likely involve a broader range of jet fuels, reducing blending flexibility. FT-SPK/A offers properties closer to conventional aviation fuel, providing an alternative pathway that can support higher overall SAF utilization where paraffinic blends are constrained.”
By both simplifying the production process and making a fully formed jet fuel with all four components, OXCCU said its approach addresses both cost and versatility.
The company’s syncrude fuel is produced either from captured CO2 and green hydrogen, or biogas.
As aviation works towards its 10 percent SAF target by 2030 in the U.K. and Europe, OXCCU said innovations like its technology are vital to scaling production without compromising quality, performance or sustainability.
This achievement follows the successful opening and operation of OXCCU’s OX1 demonstration plant at London Oxford Airport and sets the stage for increased volumes and broader testing from its upcoming OX2 facility, expected to be fully operational in early 2027.
