en.Wedoany.com Reported - Amazon has announced an investment in GranBio to support the development of a technology pathway that produces sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from forestry residues and construction waste.
GranBio's technology uses materials such as branches from forestry operations, crop straw, and waste pallets and plywood as feedstocks, converting them into low-carbon fuels primarily for hard-to-decarbonize industries like aviation. These feedstocks are abundantly available across the United States but are currently often unused, ultimately ending up in landfills or increasing wildfire risks.
The process breaks down woody biomass, releasing carbon stored in plant fibers, which is then synthesized into fuel molecules. These molecules are chemically identical to those found in fossil diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel. Byproducts from the process can be used to heat facilities, reducing the need for external energy inputs.
GranBio plans to convert closed pulp and paper mills across the United States into advanced biorefineries over the next decade to scale up SAF production. The company says this strategy is also expected to restore skilled manufacturing jobs in these regions.
Kim Nelson, Chief Technology Officer of GranBio, stated that collaborating with Amazon on this project brings the company closer to proving that SAF made from forestry and construction waste can be a truly scalable solution for aviation decarbonization. This technology can transform waste materials into clean energy while creating opportunities to revitalize rural communities and improve the health of U.S. forests.
This investment is part of Amazon's broader efforts to decarbonize its transportation network under The Climate Pledge, with a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. The company noted that low-carbon fuels remain a critical tool for industries where electrification has not yet been widely adopted.
Andreas Marschner, Vice President of Worldwide Operations Sustainability at Amazon, said the aviation industry needs low-carbon fuels, but supply does not yet exist at scale. GranBio's technology has the potential to change that, turning abundant waste materials into ready-to-use fuel. By investing now, Amazon is helping demonstrate demand for solutions that, if successful, could be used across the industry.
Amazon stated that its investment in GranBio is part of a broader plan to test emerging technologies in transportation, construction, and packaging to build the low-carbon fuel supply needed to achieve net-zero goals.
