Cambridge, Massachusetts: Sora Fuel has announced a successful $6 million seed funding round to advance its groundbreaking sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technology. The funding, led by The Engine Ventures and supported by Wireframe Ventures, will be utilized to expand Sora’s Boston-based team, develop commercialization partnerships, and further refine their novel technology.
Sora Fuel’s technology stands out in the crowded SAF market. Unlike traditional methods that rely on energy-intensive processes and limited feedstocks, Sora Fuel captures atmospheric CO2 at an exceptionally low cost of $20 per ton. This achievement is made possible through a liquid bicarbonate electrolyzer that operates in a fully closed-loop system, requiring only water and renewable electricity to produce syngas—a precursor to SAF.
This innovation addresses significant challenges in the SAF industry, where existing production methods, such as Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) and alcohol-to-jet processes, face limitations due to feedstock availability and environmental impact. HEFA, for example, relies on waste oil feedstocks that are costly and scarce, while alcohol-to-jet processes can contribute to soil degradation. Other methods, like waste gasification and point-source power-to-liquid, also fall short in providing significant greenhouse gas reductions.
Sora Fuel’s approach offers a promising alternative, reducing 90% of the energy typically required in direct air capture (DAC) processes. By eliminating the need for traditional feedstocks, Sora Fuel not only creates a scalable and cost-effective path for SAF production but also opens doors for producing other downstream products derived from syngas.
Co-founder and CEO Gareth Ross emphasized the transformative potential of their technology, stating, “Sora Fuel’s technology eliminates 90% of the energy currently required in standard DAC processes, opening up an entirely new and more sustainable path for producing carbon-negative fuels. Our patented, closed-loop system enables the direct generation of an economical product and overcomes widespread feedstock constraints, allowing us to produce SAF at prices comparable to current Jet A fuel.”
This announcement comes at a time when the aviation industry faces increasing pressure to decarbonize. Aviation accounts for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions and approximately 4% of global warming. As demand for air travel continues to grow, the need for scalable and sustainable fuel alternatives becomes more urgent.
“Sora Fuel’s technology eliminates 90% of the energy currently required in standard DAC processes, opening up an entirely new and more sustainable path for producing carbon-negative fuels.”
Sora Fuel’s innovative solution offers a potential game-changer for the industry. By leveraging atmospheric CO2 and renewable energy, the company aims to make SAF a viable option for the aviation sector, helping to meet global carbon reduction targets. The successful seed funding round signals strong investor confidence in Sora Fuel’s technology and its potential to transform the SAF landscape.
