United Airlines announces investment in Twelve

United announced an investment in Twelve, an innovative low carbon fuels company that uses a process similar to photosynthesis to transform CO2 and water into sustainable aviation fuel using renewable energy. This investment by the United Airlines (UAL) Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund follows Twelve’s $83M Series C funding round and project financing for its first SAF production facility, AirPlant One, located in Moses Lake, Washington. The facility is expected to begin production this year and plans to produce 50,000 gallons of SAF annually. Last year, Twelve secured a SAF purchase agreement with a large European-based airline company. Under the 14-year contract, Twelve will supply 260M gallons of SAF to support its five airlines. This long-term agreement, combined with the development of Twelve’s first plant, underscores the demand for the company’s innovative technology and SAF. The SAF Twelve plans to produce once its plant becomes operational, is expected to be a lower-carbon alternative fuel with the potential to reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional jet fuel.