'World first' | Aramco-backed start-up announces hydrogen-to-synthetic aviation-fuel demonstration plant at UK airport

OXCCU, a spin-off from Oxford University, has developed a highly cost-effective method that can directly convert hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) into hydrocarbons in a single step. The UK-based start-up, backed by investors like Saudi Aramco, United Airlines, and energy trader Trafigura, has announced that it will begin operations at a pioneering synthetic aviation fuel demonstration plant next month at a regional airport in England.

The company’s OX1 plant, located at Oxford Airport, will demonstrate a new one-step process that converts CO2 and H2 directly into long-chain hydrocarbons. This innovative approach, which uses an iron-based catalyst, is both cost-effective and scalable, designed specifically to meet aviation fuel needs. Unlike traditional methods that require several steps, OXCCU’s technology simplifies the process by eliminating the need to first convert CO2 into carbon monoxide (CO), making it more energy-efficient and lowering costs.

The plant will be the first in the world to directly convert CO2 and H2 into jet fuel hydrocarbons in a single step, with minimal unwanted byproducts. While the OX1 plant will produce only about 1kg (1.2 litres) of synthetic aviation fuel daily, OXCCU plans to build a larger OX2 plant in Hull, which aims to produce 160kg (200 litres) daily by 2026.

OXCCU's ultimate goal is to produce cost-effective power-to-liquid (PtL) sustainable aviation fuel, enabling future air travel with reduced climate impact. The start-up raised £18 million in Series A funding last year, with investors including major companies like Saudi Aramco and United Airlines.