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Metafuels

Metafuels is revolutionizing the aviation industry by making Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) affordable and scalable through its innovative aerobrew technology. This catalytic process converts green methanol, derived from renewable hydrogen and sustainably sourced carbon, into SAF. The company’s unique approach focuses on scalability and efficiency, aiming for production capacities up to 1,000 tons of SAF per day by the mid-2030s. This positions aerobrew as a competitive solution, effectively addressing the high costs and production limitations of current e-fuel technologies. Metafuels is also actively pursuing patents for their SAF technologies, further securing their position in the market.
2021
2-10
Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
Carbon CaptureClean EnergyCleantechGreenTechRenewable EnergySustainability

Innovation

Industry Problem

Metafuels is tackling the challenge of decarbonizing aviation by making Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) affordable and scalable, addressing the high costs and production limits of current e-fuel technologies. Phase Biolabs is tackling the dual challenge of industrial CO₂ emissions and fossil fuel dependence by converting waste CO₂ into valuable, sustainable chemicals and electrofuels.

R&D Focus

Metafuels focuses its R&D on developing innovative catalytic systems for converting green methanol into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Their niche lies in creating scalable, efficient, and cost-competitive technology, specifically the aerobrew process, that addresses key challenges in producing affordable, net-zero aviation fuels from renewable feedstocks.

Innovative Solution

Metafuels uses their proprietary aerobrew technology, an innovative catalytic process that converts green methanol—made from renewable hydrogen and sustainably sourced carbon, into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This scalable and efficient solution enables affordable, large-scale production of net-zero SAF, overcoming cost and supply challenges faced by existing e-fuel technologies.

Solution Effectiveness

Metafuels’ aerobrew technology has demonstrated ultra-high selectivity in converting green methanol to SAF at their pilot plant, successfully meeting key performance indicators (KPIs). Their scalable process aims to reach production capacities of up to 1,000 tons of SAF per day by the mid-2030s, starting with pioneer projects producing between 10 to 100 tons per day. This efficiency and scalability position aerobrew as a competitive and effective solution for large-scale sustainable aviation fuel production.

Investment Funding

Last Funding Stage

Early Stage Venture

Total Funding Amount

$22.0M

Last Funding Amount

$9.0M

Last Funding Date

December, 2024

Startup Stage

Series A

Lead Investors

Contrarian Ventures, Energy Impact Partners, Verve Ventures, Fortescue Future Industries, Celsius Industries

People

Founders

Board Members

CEO

Products

Product

Aerobrew is a proprietary technology that converts green methanol into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). It enables scalable, efficient, and affordable production of net-zero aviation fuel to help decarbonize the aviation industry. – Customer Reviews – NA

Star Product

Aerobrew is the star product because it provides the “missing piece” in converting green methanol to sustainable aviation fuel with ultra-high selectivity and efficiency. Its scalability, cost-effectiveness, and innovative catalytic system make it a breakthrough technology that can produce affordable, large-scale net-zero aviation fuel, addressing critical industry challenges in decarbonization.

Demo Product or Complete Product?

Metafuels has not yet launched a commercial product. Their flagship technology, Aerobrew, is currently in the demonstration stage, with a pilot plant producing about 1 liter per day and a demonstration plant at the Paul Scherrer Institute set to produce up to 50 liters per day starting early 2025. The company plans to scale up significantly by the mid-2030s, aiming for production capacities of up to 1,000 tons per day, with initial commercial plants producing between 10 and 100 tons daily.

Awards and Recognitions

Awards

Won CHF 4.4 Million Grant from the Swiss Federal Office of Energy

Media Apperance

– Green Air News – International Airport Review – Sustainable Times – Forbes – Bloomberg

M&A and Collabs

Collab

Metafuels collaborated with Evos Rotterdam to develop a new e-SAF production plant named Turbe at the Port of Rotterdam in 2025

Collab

In collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Switzerland’s premier research institute, Metafuels is developing a pilot plant to demonstrate its aerobrew technology