Travel tech specialist Amadeus has acquired a minority stake in Caphenia, a German firm investigating the production of synthesis gas.
Caphenia has established an innovative method of producing synthesis gas from a mixture of biogas, CO2, water, and electricity. This can be used to produce a variety of renewable fuels, with up to a 92% reduction of CO2 emissions compared to the fossil reference value. The company has secured patent protection for its power-and-biogas-to-liquid (PBtL) process in all relevant core markets worldwide, with 203 granted patents, Amadeus said.
“Our process is affordable – using one sixth of the electricity needed for alternative [sustainable aviation fuel] SAF production methods – and scalable. We have an ambition to offer large scale production by 2028, aiming to fill the gap between anticipated SAF demand and current supply,” said Dr Mark Misselhorn, chief executive of Caphenia .
Misselhorn continued: “For airlines, sustainable aviation fuel is the practical long-term alternative to conventional aviation fuel. The technology of cost-effective, producible SAF means the greatest potential for CO2 savings and an important element that, in combination with others, may help in meeting net zero targets.”
Caphenia has plans to commence production next year and is forecasting to produce 10 million litres of SAF by 2027, planning to increase to over 100 million litres by 2030 and over one billion litres before 2035.
Suzanna Chiu, head of ventures, Amadeus, said: “At Amadeus, we are committed to supporting the move to sustainable travel. We monitor industry trends and developments to determine the most effective ways we can fulfil this ambition and are delighted to act today with the investment in an innovative SAF company.
“The transaction represents a step forward in our sustainability strategy, taking the perspective from a different part of the value chain in the industry. As the industry moves towards its goal of reaching net zero by 2050, we are taking concrete steps to accelerate the process.”
Image: Amadeus
