UK-based company Firefly Green Fuels has unveiled a revolutionary form of jet fuel derived entirely from human waste.
UK-based company Firefly Green Fuels has unveiled a revolutionary form of jet fuel derived entirely from human waste. Developed in collaboration with experts from Cranfield University, the newly created fuel boasts a remarkable 90 percent reduction in carbon footprint compared to conventional aviation fuel, as confirmed by independent regulatory tests. The composition of Firefly’s innovation closely mirrors standard A1 jet fuel.
The company, propelled by a £2 million grant from the Department of Transport in 2021, is at the forefront of sustainable aviation fuel development. Although not yet commercially available, Firefly Green Fuels asserts that it is on track to introduce its pioneering fuel to the global market, with plans to have its inaugural commercial plant operational within the next five years.
A strategic partnership has already been inked with budget airline Wizz Air, marking a significant step towards implementing this eco-friendly fuel in the aviation sector from 2028.
The raw material for Firefly’s innovative jet fuel is sourced from wastewater treatment facilities in the UK. The refined sewage undergoes a process known as hydrothermal liquefaction, converting liquid waste into a sludge or crude oil.
Additionally, solid by-products from this process can be repurposed as crop fertilizer. The company highlights the impressive environmental efficiency of the entire process, with a carbon intensity of 7.97 grams of carbon dioxide per megajoule (gCO²e/MJ), significantly lower than the 85 to 95 gCO²e/MJ range recorded for conventional jet fuel, according to the ICCT.
While fossil fuels require millions of years to develop from organic matter, Firefly Green Fuels has successfully shortened this timeline to a matter of days, utilizing human waste as a readily available resource. The company’s CEO, James Hygate, emphasizes the economic viability of using human waste as a “cheap and abundant feedstock that will never run out.”
The pursuit of carbon neutrality in aviation has long been a global objective, particularly in Europe and the United States. While electric vehicles (EVs) have made significant strides in the automotive industry, the transition to battery-powered commercial jets remains a distant prospect. Firefly’s innovative approach to creating environmentally friendly jet fuel addresses an urgent need for sustainable solutions in the interim.
As the aviation industry looks toward a greener future, Firefly Green Fuels’ pioneering efforts underscore the potential for sustainable alternatives, offering hope for a more environmentally conscious approach to air travel.