Human Waste-Derived Jet Fuel: A Sustainable Solution for Aviation

Firefly Green Fuels, a UK-based company, has developed a groundbreaking solution to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry. The company has successfully created a fossil-free jet fuel made entirely from human waste. This innovative fuel has a 90% lower carbon footprint compared to traditional jet fuel, as confirmed by experts at Cranfield University.

The fuel’s quality was also validated by independent regulators, who found that it is nearly identical to standard A1 jet fuel. In 2021, Firefly Green Fuels received a £2 million grant from the Department of Transport to continue developing its sustainable aviation fuel. The company aims to bring its fuel to the global market within the next five years, with plans to operate its first commercial plant during this time.

Firefly Green Fuels has already secured a partnership with budget airline Wizz Air, which will begin using the company’s fuel starting in 2028. The company sources its waste from water companies in the UK and uses a process called hydrothermal liquefaction to convert liquid waste into a sludge or crude oil. This process also produces solid by-products that can be used as crop fertilizer.

The carbon intensity of the entire process is measured at 7.97 grams of carbon dioxide per megajoule (gCO²e/MJ), which is significantly lower than the carbon intensity of traditional jet fuel, which ranges from 85 to 95 gCO²e/MJ. Firefly Green Fuels’ CEO, James Hygate, emphasizes that human waste is a “cheap and abundant feedstock [that] will never run out.”

While the cost of sustainable jet fuel compared to traditional jet fuel remains uncertain, the development of this eco-friendly alternative is a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality in the aviation industry. As electric vehicles have made strides in the automotive sector, the creation of more environmentally-friendly jet fuel options is crucial in reducing carbon emissions in air travel.