On November 29, 2023, Infinium and Breakthrough Energy Catalyst jointly announced a significant $75 million project equity investment commitment for Infinium's Project Roadrunner. This initiative aims to convert waste carbon dioxide (CO2) and renewable power into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other low-carbon fuels. The project is set to become the largest commercial-scale Power-to-Liquids (PtL) eFuels facility in North America upon completion.
Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, known for funding groundbreaking projects supporting emerging climate technologies, will be making its first equity investment through this commitment. Project Roadrunner, situated in West Texas, will repurpose an existing brownfield gas-to-liquids project into a fully integrated eFuels facility, catering to both U.S. and international markets.
The primary product of Project Roadrunner is Infinium eSAF, a sustainable aviation fuel expected to significantly reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with air travel. PtL SAF is projected to achieve a remarkable 90 percent reduction in aviation emissions compared to currently available SAF options. Additionally, the facility will produce Infinium eNaphtha for plastics manufacturing and Infinium eDiesel for applications such as long-haul trucking and maritime transport.
In conjunction with Breakthrough Energy Catalyst's investment, American Airlines and Infinium have entered into a firm offtake agreement for Infinium eSAF. This strategic agreement plays a vital role in securing additional investment for Project Roadrunner, with American Airlines joining Breakthrough Energy Catalyst as an anchor partner in advancing clean energy technologies.
To further support the offtake agreement, Citi and American Airlines have separately agreed to transfer associated emission reductions to Citi. This move aims to support the expansion of Infinium's innovative technology and contribute to the reduction of a portion of Citi's Scope 3 emissions from employee travel. Citi is also a partner of Breakthrough Energy Catalyst.
Infinium, with various eFuels projects in development globally, expresses the significance of Catalyst's investment in accelerating Project Roadrunner's completion and the delivery of substantial volumes of eFuels derived from waste carbon dioxide and renewable power. The collaboration with American Airlines is seen as a groundbreaking prototype for the aviation industry, demonstrating a model for offtake agreements that attract investment for sustainable aviation fuel technologies.
Robert Schuetzle, CEO at Infinium, emphasizes the project's importance as a template for larger eFuels plants and the groundbreaking commercial agreement with American Airlines, which provides revenue certainty for Project Roadrunner. Mario Fernandez, Head of Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, acknowledges the project as a landmark achievement for sustainable aviation fuels and the potential model it presents for the entire aviation industry.
Jill Blickstein, Chief Sustainability Officer at American Airlines, expresses the realization of potential through Catalyst's investment in Infinium and the long-term commitment to purchasing clean fuels, highlighting the necessity of novel collaborations to achieve a climate-friendly aviation future. Val Smith, Chief Sustainability Officer at Citi, expresses pride in supporting the commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel, citing Infinium's eSAF technology as an example of innovation and growth in the climate solutions space.
The collaborative efforts of Infinium, Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, American Airlines, and Citi represent a significant step towards the development and commercialization of sustainable aviation fuels, contributing to the global effort to reduce emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources.
About Infinium
Infinium is an electrofuels provider on a mission to decarbonize the world. Electrofuels are a new class of synthetic fuels made using renewable power and waste carbon dioxide, not petroleum or resources needed to produce food. Infinium electrofuels can be dropped into existing trucks, planes, and ships, significantly reducing harmful carbon dioxide emissions compared to fossil-based fuels. In addition to helping the transport industry meet carbon reduction goals, Infinium electrofuels are a lower carbon alternative for chemical processing, including plastics production.
About Breakthrough Energy
Breakthrough Energy is committed to accelerating the world’s journey to a clean energy future. The organization funds breakthrough technologies, advocates for climate-smart policies, and mobilizes partners around the world to take effective action, accelerating progress at every stage.
