United’s Sustainable Flight Fund backs Twelve, advancing a breakthrough SAF technology that can cut emissions by up to 90%.
Twelve secures major SAF contract for 260M gallons with a European airline group, signaling commercial readiness.
AirPlant One, Twelve’s first SAF facility, begins production this year—delivering 50,000 gallons of drop-in fuel annually.
United Airlines has deepened its commitment to decarbonizing aviation by investing in Twelve, a cleantech company that converts CO₂ into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using renewable energy. The investment was made through United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund℠, a $200M+ coalition including GE Aerospace, Google, and Embraer, focused on scaling commercially viable SAF technologies.
“Scaling the SAF industry is the major hurdle air travel needs to clear in order to increase the supply and reduce the price of lower carbon fuels,” said Andrew Chang, head of United Airlines Ventures. “Twelve has differentiated themselves through the capital they have raised and the SAF contracts they have secured.”
Founded in 2015, California-based Twelve has developed a process that mimics photosynthesis—transforming CO₂ and water into fuels, plastics, and chemicals, powered entirely by renewable electricity. Its SAF can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional jet fuel.
This funding follows Twelve’s recent $83M Series C round and the development of AirPlant™ One, its first commercial SAF production facility in Moses Lake, Washington. The plant will begin operations this year, producing 50,000 gallons of drop-in SAF annually.
Twelve also recently signed one of the largest SAF supply agreements to date—a 14-year contract with a major European airline group to deliver 260 million gallons of SAF across five carriers. The long-term deal positions Twelve as a serious contender in the commercial SAF market.
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“United’s Sustainable Flight Fund’s investment reinforces our momentum at a pivotal moment as we move from innovation to implementation,” said Nicholas Flanders, co-founder & CEO of Twelve. “We’re not just envisioning the decarbonization of air travel—we’re actively building it.”
United has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 without relying on carbon offsets. This partnership underscores that strategy—aligning with proven, scalable technologies that meet both climate targets and commercial demands.
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