United invests in power-to-liquid fuels company
May 7, 2025
United Airlines has announced an investment in US-based sustainable fuel company Twelve, whose proprietary power-to-liquid technology turns captured carbon dioxide and water into jet fuel using renewable electricity.
The backing comes via the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund.
The airline’s investment follows Twelve’s successful $83 million Series C round and separate project financing to build its first commercial-scale facility, AirPlant One, in Washington state. The plant is expected to begin production later this year and aims to deliver 50,000 gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) annually.
Twelve’s method mirrors the principles of photosynthesis, using renewable electricity to convert CO₂ and water into hydrocarbons that can be refined into jet fuel and other materials. The resulting SAF could reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional jet fuel, according to the company.
“Scaling the SAF industry is the major hurdle air travel needs to clear in order to increase the supply and reduce the price of lower carbon fuels,” said Andrew Chang, head of United Airlines Ventures.
“Twelve has differentiated themselves through the capital they have raised and the SAF contracts they have secured, providing them with the flexibility to commercialise their technology and grow their operations expediently.”
Twelve has also signed a 14-year supply agreement with a major European airline group to deliver 260 million gallons of SAF, one of the largest deals of its kind to date. That contract, coupled with the construction of AirPlant One, signals growing confidence in the company’s approach and its ability to deliver SAF at scale.
“United’s Sustainable Flight Fund’s investment reinforces our momentum at a pivotal moment as we move from innovation to implementation,” said Nicholas Flanders, co-founder & CEO of Twelve.
“With AirPlant One launching imminently and strong a collaboration with United, we’re not just envisioning the decarbonisation of air travel-we’re actively building it. Because we have the capability to deliver our E-Jet sustainable aviation fuel at scale, Twelve is proudly creating a realistic pathway to carbon-neutral aviation that meets both operational demands and climate goals.”
