ImpactAlpha, September 6 — Cambridge, Mass.-based Lydian runs captured carbon dioxide and water through a high-temperature electric reactor. The process produces cheaper and more energy-efficient aviation fuel than competitors currently in the market, Lydian’s Joe Rodden told ImpactAlpha.
“We try to minimize the amount of energy input by making the process as efficient as possible,” he said. “And obviously, if you want to create climate-friendly products, that energy needs to be renewable, so it needs to come from electricity.”
Lydian has raised $15 million to build a pilot plant that is expected to produce at least 5,000 gallons per year of carbon-neutral aviation fuel.
Advance purchases
A raft of green aviation startups are racing to decarbonize air travel. Global airlines have pre-purchased over 10 billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel. United Airlines, through a $100 million sustainable flight venture fund, backed the UK’s OXCCU in June.
Lydian, launched 2021, is in conversation with several US airlines to secure advance offtake agreements. Rodden Lydian’s pilot plant will let it pitch airlines a finished product next year.
Congruent Ventures and Galvanize Climate Solutions co-led the seed round, which includes $3 million in previously unannounced funding from Congruent, Voyager Ventures and Global Founders Capital.
