Key Takeaways:
• USA BioEnergy partners with Johnson Matthey and Honeywell for a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility in Bon Wier, Texas.
• The facility will use cutting-edge Fischer-Tropsch technologies to convert biomass into high-quality SAF.
• The plant aims to process 1 million tons of forest thinnings annually, producing up to 65 million gallons of SAF.
• This collaboration reinforces USA BioEnergy’s commitment to sustainability, energy security, and reducing aviation carbon emissions.
Collaboration with Industry Leaders
USA BioEnergy has officially entered into a strategic partnership with Johnson Matthey (JM) and Honeywell to build a state-of-the-art sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production plant in Bon Wier, Texas. The facility will leverage advanced Fischer-Tropsch technologies to produce synthetic paraffinic kerosene (SPK), a crucial component in SAF production. With Johnson Matthey’s FT CANS technology and Honeywell UOP’s FT Unicracking process, the plant will create high-quality SAF that meets aviation industry standards, significantly contributing to reducing carbon emissions in the aviation sector.
Sustainable Feedstock and Advanced Technologies
At the core of the project, the Bon Wier biorefinery will utilize biomass sourced from responsibly managed forest thinnings as feedstock. This sustainable approach will ensure the plant processes one million tons of biomass annually, producing 65 million gallons of transportation fuels, including SAF. Johnson Matthey’s FT CANS technology, developed in partnership with BP, and Honeywell’s FT Unicracking process will convert this biomass into SAF and other valuable fuels. Additionally, Honeywell’s Experion® PKS Distributed Control System and integrated safety solutions will optimize plant performance and ensure operational safety.
Environmental Impact and Industry Commitment
USA BioEnergy’s collaboration with Johnson Matthey and Honeywell represents a major step forward in the company’s goal of advancing sustainable aviation fuels. Nick Andrews, CEO of USA BioEnergy, emphasized that the facility will utilize not only forest thinnings but also carbon capture and sequestration technologies to minimize environmental impact. This project, according to Andrews, is part of the company’s broader strategy to deliver integrated alternative fuel solutions that align with the aviation industry’s sustainability goals.
Alberto Giovanzana, Managing Director Licensing at Johnson Matthey, lauded the project for supporting the decarbonization of air travel and reinforcing U.S. energy security. Rajesh Gattupalli, President of Honeywell UOP, highlighted that this collaboration would also help address the longstanding challenges of feedstock availability in SAF production.
Strategic Milestones and Future Growth
The Bon Wier facility is just one of several significant milestones for USA BioEnergy in the sustainable aviation fuel sector. The company has already signed a 20-year offtake agreement with Southwest Airlines, which will purchase up to 680 million gallons of SPK. When blended with conventional jet fuel, this quantity will contribute to producing 2.59 billion gallons of SAF, supporting the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) goal of achieving net-zero emissions in aviation by 2050.
Moreover, Johnson Matthey and Honeywell were recently selected by DG Fuels for a new SAF facility in Minnesota, also utilizing the same advanced FT CANS and FT Unicracking technologies. This continued expansion of SAF production capabilities underscores both companies’ leadership in alternative fuels.
Looking Ahead
As USA BioEnergy prepares to launch this groundbreaking facility in Bon Wier, it reflects the growing momentum within the aviation industry to adopt more sustainable fuel alternatives. Through its collaboration with Johnson Matthey and Honeywell, USA BioEnergy is positioning itself as a key player in the global transition to cleaner, greener aviation fuel.
