Ethanol to Engines: The New Blueprint for Clean Air

Gevo partners with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to deploy new catalyst tech, slashing costs for sustainable aviation fuel production

7 Apr 2026

Gevo, the Colorado-based biofuels producer, has licensed two catalyst technologies from the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The agreement aims to reduce the expenses associated with manufacturing sustainable aviation fuel, addressing the primary commercial barrier to its widespread use in the aviation sector.

The licensed patents facilitate a catalytic process that converts ethanol into olefins, which are chemical intermediates essential for fuel production. According to the laboratory, this method achieves high carbon efficiency at costs comparable to or lower than conventional techniques. The partnership is supported by a three-year research and development agreement via the Department of Energy’s Technology Commercialization Fund, intended to transition the process from laboratory testing to industrial-scale operation.

"By demonstrating industrial viability, our goal is to accelerate the commercialization of this technology in the US, boosting global competitiveness and domestic production of aviation fuel," said Andrew Sutton, senior scientist in the Manufacturing Science Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The move comes as the US biofuel sector shifts its focus toward building reproducible, cost-competitive production platforms rather than relying on isolated supply deals. In March, XCF Global highlighted a similar strategy, positioning domestic production as a national energy security asset by utilizing local waste-based feedstocks and modular facility designs to mitigate global supply chain volatility.

Industry dynamics are increasingly shaped by federal policy, particularly the Section 45Z tax credit. This incentive rewards fuels with low carbon intensity, pressuring producers to adopt technologies that meet rigorous environmental benchmarks.

While global jet fuel demand is projected to rise from 106bn gallons annually to 230bn gallons by 2050, the role of sustainable aviation fuel remains contingent on achieving price parity with traditional kerosene. The integration of this catalyst technology represents a technical attempt to resolve this pricing disparity as regulatory frameworks for carbon emissions tighten.