Syzygy Plasmonics selects Velocys as FT licensor for Uruguay SAF project

Syzygy Plasmonics announced July 16 that it has selected Velocys as technology partner for its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project in Uruguay.

The NovaSAF 1 facility will convert dairy waste and biogas into drop-in jet fuel with a nameplate capacity of 500,000 gallons annually, using only renewable electricity and waste gas—with no green hydrogen or complex gasification, according to Syzygy.

At the heart of the project is Syzygy’s “light-driven GHG e-Reforming technology,” which the company said produces the ideal 2-to-1 syngas ratio for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis directly from biogenic methane and CO2.

This breakthrough, according to Syzygy, eliminates the need for water-intensive steam reforming or expensive electrolyzers, simplifying the SAF value chain.

To convert that syngas into high-yield jet fuel, Syzygy has selected Velocys and its microFTL technology, “known for reliability and for maximizing fuel output,” the company stated.

“This project proves that profitable SAF production doesn’t have to wait on future infrastructure,” said Trevor Best, CEO of Syzygy Plasmonics. “With Velocys, we’re bringing in a complete, modular solution that drives down overall production costs and is ready to scale. Uruguay is only the start.”

Matthew Viergutz, CEO of Velocys, added, “We’re proud to bring our FT technology into a project that’s changing the game. This is what innovation looks like—fast, flexible and focused on making SAF production affordable.”

Syzygy said it plans to make a final-investment decision in the fourth quarter of this year and anticipates the project in Uruguay to start operations in early 2027.