Leaders on a Mission

From Scraps to the Skies: The Rise of Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Simon Leich

LanzaJet, led by CEO Jimmy Samartzis, is pioneering the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from waste materials.

LanzaJet has developed an amazing technology that transforms ethanol from sources like municipal waste and agricultural residues into bio jet fuel, offering a greener alternative to fossil-based fuels. By avoiding the extraction of new carbon, LanzaJet’s approach recycles existing waste, making it a vital player in reducing aviation’s carbon footprint. ✈️

Despite challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, LanzaJet built the world’s first commercial-scale alcohol-to-jet plant in Georgia and is now focused on scaling production to contribute 3 billion gallons of sustainable jet fuel annually in the U.S. by 2030. Their success relies heavily on partnerships and government support as they lead the charge toward a more sustainable future in aviation.

🎧 Join Jimmy and I on the Leaders on a Mission podcast where Jimmy answers key questions such as "how efficient is sustainable aviation fuel?" and "how do we make sustainable aviation fuel?"

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🌿 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts!

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability?

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions.

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact.

Subscribe and tune in on…

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

00:00 Intro
01:23 Jimmy’s career path and early environmental focus
06:00 Industry collaboration on de-carbonization with the UN
08:44 LanzaJet’s innovative waste-to-fuel technology
15:42 The process of converting ethanol into fuel
18:56 Global partnerships and key milestones
22:59 The first alcohol to jet commercial scale SAF plant
26:20 Challenges of scaling SAF production
29:34 Building the team and expanding to full capacity
34:30 Scaling technology and reducing SAF costs
38:35 Future challenges for LanzaJet and the SAF industry

Useful links: 👇
LanzaJet’s website:
https://www.lanzajet.com/
LanzaJet’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lanzajet/
Jimmy Samartzis’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmysamartzis/

Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/
Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/