North Sea Port in Ghent, Belgium, has been selected as the site for a groundbreaking project by LanzaTech. The company plans to develop Europe’s first large-scale alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) sustainable aviation fuel facility using its LanzaJet ATJ process. The project is part of the FLITE consortium, supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program.
The €500 million facility aims to produce 79,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel and 9,000 tonnes of renewable diesel annually. LanzaTech has announced that it will soon submit an environmental impact assessment to Belgian authorities, a key step toward securing final investment approval.
The FLITE project is expected to bring notable economic benefits to the Ghent region. Once operational, it will create around 50 permanent high-quality jobs. During the three-year construction phase, approximately 300 full-time equivalent positions will be available. Local businesses are also expected to benefit by providing services and labor, boosting the regional economy.
Cas König, CEO of North Sea Port, expressed enthusiasm for the project. He highlighted the port’s alignment with the region’s sustainability goals and noted its existing infrastructure, skilled workforce, and strong logistics network as advantages for the project.
Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech, emphasized the strategic choice of Ghent. She pointed out the site’s mature industrial ecosystem and proximity to the nearby ArcelorMittal Steelanol ethanol plant as key benefits. Holmgren also highlighted that the project is designed to meet strict international standards, including CORSIA and EU ReFuelEU regulations.
With the site secured and key project milestones in progress, the FLITE facility aims to become a significant contributor to Europe’s sustainable aviation fuel supply.
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