Performance Award

This award is given to Virent Inc in recognition for advancing science and introducing new industrial biotechnology products in sustainable aviation fuels and biobased products.

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Sustainable Aviation Fuels – Synthesized Aviation Kerosene (SAK) Tested in Drop-in Jet A Infrastructure

Virent together with its collaboration partner Johnson Matthey have developed the BioForming® S2A technology, which enables the production of synthesized aromatic kerosene (SAK). Together with SAF from other pathways, Virent is working to increase overall SAF volumes in today’s jet fuel and ultimately the delivery of 100% drop-in SAF. This has been demonstrated in several flights including those made by:

• United Airlines,

• Emirates – 2 flights,

• Bell Helicopters,

• Gulf Stream, and

• culminating in the first trans-Atlantic flight by a commercial airliner flown by Virgin Atlantic using only 100% drop-in SAF.

 

All of these flights have established that the use of 100% drop-in SAF is both compatible with the current Jet A infrastructure and presents opportunities for further carbon reduction through better engine performance and reduced emissions. Hence, minimizing the need for any additional investment to the aircraft and fueling infrastructure in order to achieve industry goals.

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Renewable Chemicals and Biobased Products

Virent’s BioForming® S2A technology also provides aromatic chemicals, such as paraxylene, mixed xylenes, toluene and benzene, thereby enabling the production of 100% bio-PET (and other bioplastics made from aromatic chemicals). Several products have been made and introduced into the commercial market using paraxylene produced by the BioForming® Process, such as 100% biobased PET bottles for Coca Cola in 2021, the Sugar Down Hoodie for Patagonia in 2022, and a trouser pant suit for Issey Miyake also in 2022.

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The Technology

Virent’s BioForming® S2A technology utilizes sugars from a wide range of bio-based feedstocks including corn, sugar cane and beets, and cellulosic sugars derived from other biomass sources. The technology converts the sugars through a three-stage catalytic process to produce BioFormate® product. The BioFormate product is similar to petroleum reformate consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons that can be fractionated in downstream refineries and chemical plants into low-carbon fuels and chemicals. The main products are synthesized aromatic kerosene (SAK) jet fuel, renewable gasoline and aromatic bio-based chemicals. Virent is also working to bring its second technology to market, BioForming® E2A, which produces the same fuel and chemical products plus 100% bio-based renewable hydrogen, propane and LPG.

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Partnership, Scale-up, Commercialization Opportunities

Virent and Johnson Matthey have been working since 2016 to scale up and commercialize the BioForming® S2A technology. The collaboration brings together the process development capabilities of both companies, with Johnson Matthey's ability to bring technology from initial concept to commercial market, enabling the licensing of the BioForming technology to third parties. The technology invented by Virent and further developed by both companies was developed using data collected by operating Virent's fully integrated demonstration pilot plant for over 30,000 hours, producing thousands of gallons of BioFormate® product from commercially available feedstock. It was this product from Eagle that enabled the production of SAK for the 100% drop-in SAF flight demonstrations.

Using pilot plant and laboratory data, the joint team have been able to develop the necessary engineering and design material to enable the deployment and broad licensing of the technology. In doing so, the team had to overcome a variety of challenges, including those associated with the large amounts of water produced when converting a carbohydrate into a hydrocarbon, which affects both process design and catalyst stability, as well as contaminants such as sulfur found naturally in sustainable feedstocks. As such, the BioForming® S2A technology is ready for commercialization.

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As well as producing BioForm SAK and aromatic bio-based chemicals, renewable BioForm® Gasoline can be produced from the BioFormate product. This BioForm Gasoline has passed EPA part 79 no harms testing and is approved for 45% blending into gasoline. BioForm gasoline provides a low carbon fuel option for the large installed internal combustion engine base and will continue to play a significant role in the long-term energy mix.