Bill Gates Fund, Airlines Invest $150M in SAF Startups

Breakthrough Energy Ventures, the clean-energy investment fund backed by Bill Gates, has teamed up with some of the world’s leading airlines to inject $150 million into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) startups. The initiative brings together American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and International Airlines Group in a concerted push to scale up the production and availability of low-carbon fuels for commercial aviation.

This joint investment aims to accelerate the development of innovative SAF technologies that can significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel. While the aviation sector has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the availability of cost-competitive SAF remains limited. By pooling resources and expertise, Breakthrough Energy Ventures and its airline partners hope to overcome the high barriers to entry in the SAF market, including high production costs and the need for new infrastructure.

The funding will support startups working on next-generation SAF solutions, such as advanced biofuels and synthetic fuels derived from renewable electricity and captured carbon. These fuels can be blended seamlessly with traditional jet fuel, allowing airlines to lower their carbon footprints without modifying existing aircraft.

For airlines, the partnership not only represents a major step toward meeting regulatory and environmental targets but also positions them at the forefront of a rapidly evolving sector. By investing early, these carriers aim to secure future SAF supplies at scale and contribute to a more sustainable aviation industry while responding to growing consumer and investor pressure to reduce emissions.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com