How One Startup Makes Jet Fuel from Captured CO2

Lucas and Luna dive into the world of carbon-to-fuel technology, focusing on a startup called Twelve that turns captured CO2 into synthetic jet fuel. They break down the chemistry—how the company uses electrolysis to transform CO2 and water into hydrocarbon building blocks—and the economics, including the current cost per gallon versus traditional jet fuel. Lucas explains why this approach matters for hard-to-abate sectors like aviation, which accounts for about 2.5% of global CO2 emissions. The conversation covers the scale-up challenges: Twelve's first commercial plant in Washington state aims to produce 40,000 gallons per year, a drop in the bucket compared to the 100 billion gallons the airline industry consumes annually. But with the Inflation Reduction Act's clean fuel tax credits of up to $1.75 per gallon, the pathway to profitability becomes clearer. Luna questions whether the energy required for the process undermines the carbon benefits, and Lucas clarifies that when powered by renewable electricity, the fuel can be carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative. The episode ends with a look at how this technology fits into the broader decarbonization puzzle. #Twelve #TwelveCompany #CarbonToFuel #eFuels #SustainableAviationFuel #SAF #JetFuel #CO2Capture #Electrolysis #CarbonEngineering #ClimateTech #CleanEnergy #Airlines #Decarbonization #InflationReductionAct #CleanFuelTaxCredit #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo