Circularity Fuels has unveiled a pilot project converting raw dairy biogas directly into ASTM-compliant jet fuel, promising a low-cost, scalable solution to reduce aviation emissions and costs.
A California startup says it has demonstrated a potentially lower-cost route to sustainable aviation fuel by converting raw dairy biogas directly into jet fuel, a development that could matter for an industry under pressure to cut emissions without dramatically increasing fuel costs.
According to Circularity Fuels, the six-month pilot at a dairy farm near Madera produced ASTM-compliant aviation fuel from methane-rich gas drawn straight from a manure digester. The company says the project is the first end-to-end conversion of untreated agricultural biogas into sustainable aviation fuel, and that the resulting fuel can be blended with conventional Jet-A at ratios of up to 50%.
For the industrial decarbonisation sector, the significance lies not only in the feedstock but in the process economics. Circularity says the system is designed around two compact, modular reactors: one that reformats raw biogas into synthesis gas and another that converts that gas into liquid hydrocarbons through Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The company claims the pilot ran continuously for thousands of hours and achieved methane conversion rates above 98% and carbon dioxide conversion rates above 90%.
The startup argues that dairy waste offers a more practical SAF pathway than routes dependent on used cooking oil, which remains limited in supply, or power-to-liquid fuels, which are vulnerable to high electricity costs. Circularity estimates that commercial plants using its approach could be built for less than $100,000 per barrel per day of installed capacity, or around one-fifth of the capital cost of comparable facilities now being developed in Europe.
That cost claim, if borne out at scale, would be a notable shift in a market where SAF production remains constrained and expensive. Current output still covers less than 1% of global aviation fuel demand, according to industry figures, leaving airlines and fuel suppliers searching for feedstocks and production methods that can scale more quickly.
Circularity also says the process could have a substantial climate benefit because it captures methane that might otherwise escape from manure digesters. The company’s life-cycle analysis suggests the fuel could achieve a carbon intensity score of negative 350.7 grams of CO2 equivalent per megajoule under California’s framework, though such calculations depend heavily on assumptions about avoided emissions and system boundaries.
The project’s backers say dairies have long had limited ways to monetise biogas without expensive cleaning and upgrading systems. Craig Hartman of Hartman Engineering said the demonstration was the first time he had seen raw biogas taken directly from a digester and turned into finished jet fuel on site.
Circularity now plans to begin work on its first commercial plant in 2027, targeting dairy and agricultural regions in the US while also examining opportunities in Latin America and Europe. For aviation, where decarbonisation remains one of the hardest industrial challenges, the company’s message is straightforward: the bottleneck may no longer be chemistry, but cost.
- https://interestingengineering.com/energy/dairy-biogas-sustainable-aviation-fuel – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://interestingengineering.com/energy/dairy-biogas-sustainable-aviation-fuel – Circularity Fuels has completed the world’s first end-to-end conversion of raw agricultural biogas into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Over a six-month pilot at a California dairy farm, methane-rich gas from manure digesters was transformed into jet fuel meeting ASTM standards. This process could reduce SAF production costs to one-fifth of current European facilities, offering a cost-competitive alternative to fossil fuels. The system uses two modular reactors: an electrified bi-reforming reactor and a compact Fischer-Tropsch reactor, achieving over 98% methane conversion and over 90% carbon dioxide conversion.
- https://biomassmagazine.com/articles/16604-circularity-fuels-converts-raw-dairy-biogas-to-jet-fuel-in-world-first-end-to-end-pilot – Circularity Fuels has announced the successful completion of the world’s first end-to-end conversion of raw agricultural biogas into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Over a six-month pilot run on biogas drawn straight from a California dairy farm’s manure digester, Circularity produced drop-in jet fuel meeting ASTM D7566 Annex A1 specifications. The pilot puts commercial SAF within reach at less than $100,000 per barrel-per-day of installed capacity at commercial scale, about one-fifth the capital cost of SAF plants currently under construction in Europe. The reduction in plant cost will make Circularity’s biogas-derived SAF cost-competitive with fossil jet fuel.
- https://dairynews.today/global/news/circularity_fuels_converts_dairy_biogas_to_sustainable_aviation_fuel_7494772.html – Circularity Fuels has successfully completed the world’s first end-to-end conversion of raw dairy biogas into sustainable aviation fuel. This pilot project aims to offer cost-competitive alternatives to fossil jet fuel, leveraging agricultural waste resources. The process involves using biogas sourced from a dairy farm in California, processed over a six-month period to produce a type of jet fuel that meets ASTM D7566 Annex A1 specifications. This innovation is projected to reduce the commercial capital costs for SAF production to one-fifth of those seen in current European plants, positioning the product as a cost-competitive alternative to fossil fuels.
- https://www.circularityfuels.com/our-technology – Circularity Fuels is a global leader in converting biogas into sustainable aviation fuels. Their proprietary technology combines biogas and clean energy to produce SAF. The process involves capturing methane and carbon dioxide from biogas, reforming it into syngas using their Ouro Reactor™, and then synthesising it into liquid hydrocarbons suitable for aviation use. This approach offers a cost-effective and scalable solution for producing SAF, contributing to the decarbonisation of the aviation industry.
- https://velocys.com/projects/novasaf-1-biogas-to-saf/ – NovaSAF 1 is a pioneering project that aims to convert dairy biogas and renewable electricity into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) without the need for green hydrogen or traditional gasification. Led by Syzygy Plasmonics and supported by Velocys’ Fischer-Tropsch technology, this project represents a next-generation pathway for decarbonised aviation fuel. The facility will be located at the Estancias del Lago dairy operation in Durazno, Uruguay, and is expected to be the first commercial-scale SAF facility of its kind.
- https://circularfuels.eu/ – The Circular Fuels project is pioneering sustainable aviation fuel production processes that use solar energy and waste-based raw materials, aligning with and advancing the sustainability standards set by the EU and UN. The project aims to produce SAF through advancements in renewable energy and technological innovation, addressing the environmental externalities associated with unsustainable aviation fuels. It also analyses the sustainability aspects of the technology and provides policy recommendations for successful implementation by introducing commercially viable and cost-effective solutions.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on June 15, 2026, and reports on Circularity Fuels’ recent achievement in converting raw agricultural biogas into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This development has been covered by multiple reputable sources, including Biomass Magazine and Global Renewable News, all reporting on June 15, 2026. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is June 15, 2026. The article does not appear to be recycled from low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The narrative is based on a press release from Circularity Fuels, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified between this and earlier versions. The article includes updated data and does not recycle older material. Overall, the freshness of the content is high.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Dr. Stephen Beaton, founder and CEO of Circularity Fuels, and Craig Hartman of Hartman Engineering. These quotes are consistent with those found in other reputable sources reporting on the same event. However, the exact earliest known usage of these quotes cannot be independently verified. While the quotes appear to be accurately attributed, the inability to independently verify their earliest usage introduces a degree of uncertainty.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The article originates from Interesting Engineering, a reputable publication known for its coverage of technological advancements. The lead source is not summarising, rewriting, or aggregating content from another publication. The narrative appears to be original reporting based on a press release from Circularity Fuels. While the source is reputable, the reliance on a single press release without additional independent verification sources slightly reduces the overall reliability score.
Plausibility check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims made in the article are plausible and align with industry trends in sustainable aviation fuel development. The process described for converting raw agricultural biogas into SAF is consistent with known technologies and practices in the field. The article provides specific details, such as the use of a six-month pilot project and the achievement of ASTM D7566 Annex A1 specifications, which are verifiable and add credibility to the claims. The language and tone are consistent with typical corporate communications in the industry.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article provides a timely and plausible report on Circularity Fuels’ achievement in converting raw agricultural biogas into sustainable aviation fuel. While the source is reputable, the reliance on a single press release without additional independent verification sources introduces a degree of uncertainty. The inability to independently verify the earliest usage of the quotes further contributes to this uncertainty. Given these factors, the overall confidence in the content’s accuracy is medium.
