Altalto (Immingham) Limited’s project report highlights a near-term pathway for sustainable aviation fuel to assist in achieving net-zero aviation by 2050
Aviation is one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise. With limited alternatives to liquid fuels, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is essential to achieving net-zero aviation by 2050. The UK Government has recognised this through its SAF Mandate, requiring a minimum share of jet fuel to come from sustainable sources, starting at 2% in 2025 and increasing to 22% by 2040.
Velocys, a UK-headquartered technology innovator, has developed a cutting-edge microchannel Fischer- Tropsch reactor.
Fischer–Tropsch reactors and catalysts enable efficient and high-quality SAF production. Altalto is Velocys’ flagship UK project and is positioned to become a cornerstone of the country’s sustainable aviation strategy.
Project overview
- Location: 32-hectare site in Immingham; strategic access to road, rail, and port.
- Timeline: Plant operational by 2030; construction after final investment decision.
- Production: 30 million litres of SAF per year.
- Feedstock: Municipal solid waste (MSW) and commercial & industrial (C&I) waste
Altalto is currently the most advanced MSW-to-2G SAF project globally, with all key technology partners selected and engineering design in progress.
Environmental benefits
Altalto will deliver:
- >100,000 tonnes CO2e savings annually (including carbon capture and storage).
- Lifecycle emissions reduction of over 70% compared to fossil jet fuel.
- Diversion of residual waste from landfill and incineration.
- Enough SAF to power more than 500 London–New York flights annually.
- Contribution to the circular economy by converting unrecyclable waste into low-carbon fuels.
Economic and social impact
- Job creation: ~100 permanent roles, up to 1,000 jobs during construction, and ~300 indirect supply chain jobs.
- Skills and training opportunities: Developing expertise in advanced fuels and clean energy.
- Regional growth: Supporting Humber and Immingham as a UK clean energy hub.
- Investment opportunities: Significant potential for domestic and international investors in a high-growth sector.
Project delivery and partnerships
A network of industry leaders and government stakeholders supports Altalto:
- Velocys – technology provider and project developer.
- Technology partners – gasification, utilities, and upgrading systems.
- Government support – Department for Transport Advanced Fuels Fund.
- Future partners – anticipated airline offtake agreements and strategic investors.
Site and infrastructure
The Immingham site is ideally positioned with:
- Planning consent secured.
- Grid connection agreement signed.
- Port, rail, and road access for waste, feedstock and fuel distribution.
- Proximity to industrial clusters and CO2 storage infrastructure, enabling CCS integration.
Conclusion
Altalto (Immingham) Limited represents a flagship UK clean energy project, bringing together world-leading technology, strong government backing, and significant environmental and economic benefits.
By converting waste into jet fuel, Altalto will:
- Decarbonise UK aviation.
- Deliver green jobs and economic growth.
- Position the UK as a global leader in advanced SAF production.
With construction expected later this decade, Altalto is set to play a critical role in the transition to sustainable aviation.
This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International.
