Transforming Forestry Waste into Fuel: Air NZ and LanzaJet’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Initiative Discover how Air NZ and LanzaJet are turning forestry waste into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), creating economic opportunities and advancing green aviation in New Zealand.

Air New Zealand and LanzaJet are making strides in sustainable aviation with their latest feasibility study, revealing that forestry waste could fuel an industry worth $430 million annually. The project’s findings open a new chapter for renewable aviation fuel, sparking economic opportunities and offering a path toward reducing carbon emissions in aviation—a sector long challenged by its reliance on fossil fuels.

Turning Woody Waste into Jet Fuel

Forestry slash and low-value wood products, often discarded as waste, have emerged as promising feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in New Zealand. Conducted with Scion, Z Energy, and WoodBeca, this study funded by Air NZ and the New Zealand Government highlights how woody waste can be processed into ethanol and converted into SAF, providing an alternative to conventional jet fuel and cutting the carbon footprint of air travel.

The initial results are encouraging: domestic production could reach 102 million liters of unblended SAF and 11 million liters of renewable diesel annually. While this output only meets a fraction of Air NZ’s fuel needs—around a quarter of the domestic aviation fuel demand—it marks a significant step toward energy independence and greener aviation.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

The study found that SAF production from locally sourced woody waste could contribute hundreds of millions to New Zealand’s economy and create numerous jobs in the renewable energy sector. By investing in infrastructure and establishing mandates for SAF usage, New Zealand could secure an industry with lasting benefits, ensuring that valuable raw materials are used domestically rather than exported.

Challenges and the Need for Policy Support

Despite its promise, scaling SAF production will require significant investment in infrastructure. According to Air NZ’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Kiri Hannifin, favorable policies and regulatory mandates will be crucial for SAF’s adoption. Other countries are already implementing minimum SAF requirements for aviation, a step New Zealand may need to take to ensure it doesn’t lose out on global investments or let local resources benefit foreign markets.

LanzaJet’s Role and Technical Process

LanzaJet, a global leader in SAF technology, brings cutting-edge processes to this project, combining LanzaTech’s carbon recycling technology with its alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology. LanzaTech converts gasified forestry residues into ethanol, which LanzaJet then refines into SAF. This approach not only reduces waste but also repurposes carbon emissions into a cleaner alternative to traditional jet fuel.

In June, Air NZ’s import of 500,000 liters of SAF demonstrated the fuel’s potential, showing an 89% reduction in lifecycle emissions compared to conventional jet fuel. Such results underscore SAF’s capability to reduce aviation’s environmental impact while maintaining performance standards.

Future Prospects and Expanded Feedstocks

The next phase of the study will explore additional feedstocks, such as municipal solid waste, to increase SAF’s scalability in New Zealand. This approach could further diversify the SAF feedstock supply, making the country’s SAF production model more sustainable and resilient.

LanzaJet’s CEO, Jimmy Samartzis, emphasized the importance of building a comprehensive SAF ecosystem, supported by technology, capital, and regulatory incentives. As more countries shift toward SAF production, New Zealand’s efforts to cultivate a domestic SAF industry could become a model for integrating renewable fuel into the aviation industry sustainably.

Conclusion

Air NZ and LanzaJet’s initiative offers a promising future for sustainable aviation in New Zealand, transforming forestry waste into fuel that could benefit both the environment and the economy. With supportive policies, investment in infrastructure, and a commitment to innovation, New Zealand is on the path to establishing a thriving SAF industry that can reshape aviation’s environmental footprint.

As global demand for SAF rises, New Zealand’s pioneering efforts could position it as a leader in green aviation, leveraging local resources to fuel a cleaner, more sustainable future.