America’s first commercial-scale plant producing jet fuel from captured carbon dioxide and renewable electricity has begun operations in Washington state, marking a major milestone for a technology that could reshape how aviation fuel is made.

Twelve, a California-based industrial technology company, opened AirPlant One in Moses Lake, Washington. The facility produces E-Jet fuel, a synthetic sustainable aviation fuel created through a power-to-liquid process that combines captured CO2, water and renewable electricity.

The launch moves power-to-liquid technology beyond pilot programs and laboratory testing. It also establishes a new model for domestic fuel production that does not depend on crude oil extraction. In addition to aviation fuel, the plant manufactures E-Naphtha, a chemical feedstock used to make thousands of everyday products.

Turning air into fuel

At the heart of AirPlant One is an electrolyzer-based system that transforms captured carbon dioxide and water into liquid hydrocarbons. Renewable electricity powers the process, enabling the plant to produce synthetic jet fuel that is chemically identical to its fossil-derived counterpart.

The resulting E-Jet fuel meets ASTM certification standards for commercial aviation use. Airlines can use it as a drop-in fuel without modifying aircraft engines, airport fueling equipment, or existing infrastructure. That compatibility removes one of the biggest barriers facing alternative aviation fuels.

The facility has already begun producing on-specification fuel for commercial use. The achievement moves power-to-liquid technology into real-world operations and demonstrates that synthetic aviation fuel can be manufactured at commercial scale.

“We broke ground on AirPlant One with a simple thesis: that the fuels powering the global economy could be made from renewable electricity and air,” said Nicholas Flanders, co-founder and chief executive officer of Twelve. “Today, that thesis is operational.”

The technology also differs from many sustainable aviation fuel pathways currently under development. Most existing SAF production relies on biological feedstocks such as used cooking oil, agricultural waste, and other organic materials.

Those resources face limitations tied to land availability and supply. Power-to-liquid production instead uses captured carbon dioxide and renewable electricity, inputs that supporters argue offer greater scalability and flexibility.

Beyond aviation fuel

AirPlant One also produces E-Naphtha, a synthetic alternative to petroleum-derived naphtha. The material serves as a building block for thousands of products, including plastics, packaging materials, solvents, and synthetic fibers.

Because E-Naphtha is chemically identical to conventional naphtha, manufacturers can integrate it into existing production systems without redesigning equipment or processes. Twelve has previously demonstrated its use in applications ranging from automotive components to consumer products.

The addition of E-Naphtha production broadens the plant’s role beyond aviation. It highlights how carbon utilization technologies could support both transportation and industrial manufacturing sectors.

Rewriting fuel economics

The launch of AirPlant One introduces a different model for fuel production. Traditional jet fuel prices often fluctuate alongside crude oil markets and geopolitical disruptions.

Electricity-based manufacturing could offer greater cost stability through long-term power agreements. Twelve says its E-Jet fuel can cut lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 90 percent compared with conventional jet fuel.

The company also says the process requires less land than many biofuel pathways while strengthening domestic supply chains. For an aviation industry searching for practical ways to reduce emissions, AirPlant One represents more than just another demonstration project.

The Moses Lake facility shows that commercial-scale production of synthetic jet fuel from air and renewable electricity is no longer theoretical. It is operating today, producing certified fuel designed for use in existing aircraft and infrastructure while offering a new path for domestic fuel manufacturing.

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