CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — United Airlines is doubling down on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) innovation with a strategic investment in Twelve, a carbon transformation company that mimics photosynthesis to produce low-carbon fuels. Announced on May 6, 2025, the investment through United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund bolsters Twelve’s efforts to scale its power-to-liquid technology, which transforms CO2 and water into SAF using renewable energy.
Twelve’s proprietary Opus system combines captured carbon, hydrogen from water, and renewable electricity to create hydrocarbons for fuels and materials. This approach, branded as E-Jet SAF, promises up to 90% lower lifecycle emissions compared to conventional jet fuel, sidestepping reliance on fossil resources. The company’s first production facility, AirPlant One in Moses Lake, Washington, is slated to begin operations in 2025, with an initial capacity of 50,000 gallons of SAF annually.
The investment follows Twelve’s $83 million Series C funding round and a landmark 14-year SAF supply agreement with a major European airline group, covering 260 million gallons to fuel five airlines. This contract, one of the largest SAF deals to date, underscores the market’s appetite for scalable, low-carbon fuel solutions. United’s backing aligns with its broader strategy to support commercially advanced SAF producers, leveraging the Sustainable Flight Fund’s $200 million-plus portfolio, which includes partners like Boeing, GE Aerospace, and Safran.
“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. He highlighted Twelve’s capital raises and contracts as key differentiators, enabling rapid commercialization of their technology.
“United’s Sustainable Flight Fund’s investment reinforces our momentum at a pivotal moment as we move from innovation to implementation.” — Nicholas Flanders, CEO, Twelve
Nicholas Flanders, co-founder and CEO of Twelve, emphasized the investment’s timing as AirPlant One nears launch. “United’s Sustainable Flight Fund’s investment reinforces our momentum at a pivotal moment as we move from innovation to implementation,” Flanders said. “We’re not just envisioning the decarbonization of air travel—we’re actively building it.”
Twelve’s technology also holds potential beyond aviation, enabling production of low-carbon plastics and chemicals. By diversifying hydrocarbon sources, the company aims to strengthen supply chain resilience while addressing emissions across industries. For aviation, however, the focus remains on scaling E-Jet SAF to meet operational demands without compromising climate goals.
As power-to-liquid pathways gain traction, United’s investment in Twelve signals a shift toward next-generation SAF technologies. With AirPlant One poised to demonstrate commercial viability, the partnership could reshape the economics and availability of sustainable aviation fuels in the race to net-zero by 2050.
