How sustainable aviation fuel will help humanity fly into the future
We speak to AIR COMPANY founder Greg Constantine about SAF, learning from nature to create new technologies and the mission to end extinction
Creating sustainable aviation fuel from CO2
At Parley, we’re always thinking about the future. What can the world look like? How can it be improved? How can we not just live in harmony with nature, but learn from it? We are aware that we cannot simply recycle our way out of the plastic crisis – we need to redesign the structures and systems that pollute our planet, along with the harmful materials that we’ve become addicted to. It’s why we’re calling for a Material Revolution – we have to change the way we make things in order to create the future.
SAF, otherwise known as Sustainable Aviation Fuel, is a hot topic. Currently, the aviation industry accounts for between 2 and 3 percent of global CO₂ carbon emissions. Predictions are that the amount of people in the sky will return to pre-Covid levels during 2024 – despite its impact on the planet, flying isn’t going away anytime soon. Consequently, decarbonization is on the agenda and in Singapore, regulations were just announced that will mean that by 2026, all planes that leave Changi and Seletar must have one percent SAF in their tanks, with the aim for that to increase to between three and five percent by 2030. By 2050, Singapore wants to reach net-zero domestic emissions from its airports. SAF is, undeniably, the future.
Introducing AIR COMPANY, which describes its mission as having one simple goal: to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions with the world’s most innovative carbon technology platform. Its carbon conversion technology — the AIRMADE™ System — has led to the development of AIRMADE™ Sustainable Aviation Fuel, which takes CO2 and turns it into sustainable jet fuel that doesn’t require any modification to aircraft. By scaling this technology within air travel and other applicable industries, the projected impact could avoid over ten percent of global CO2 emissions.
Alongside this, AIR COMPANY also produced a fragrance called AIR Eau de Parfum, the world’s first carbon-negative fragrance made from CO2, and AIR Vodka, which is made from, you guessed it, carbon dioxide. We spoke to AIR COMPANY’s founder Greg to understand why they do what they do, how, and why creativity is always at the core of AIR COMPANY.
Founders Dr. Stafford Sheehan & Greg Constantine
Q&A
AIR COMPANY exists to ensure humanity's existence. Your mission is to decarbonize the planet. How long have you been working on that mission and how long do you think it'll take to achieve it?
We launched the company at the end of 2019 and started the business at the back end of 2017, so it's been several years. When do we think we'll get there.... I think that's the existential question, and I don't think we are going to be the single solver of that challenge. It will require a collective effort, and we hope to make a significant contribution, not only practically, but also by potentially inspiring others to innovate through avenues like technology.
You want to apply this technology to every industry that it's applicable to – how soon do you think you can do that? Have you found any barriers to doing so?
Thanks to our research and development teams, we've already begun looking into applying our technology in every possible industry. The next step is scaling it. Our focus is on working with large private and public organizations in these industries to scale our technology quickly and efficiently to have the most impact. I can’t lie and say it’s been easy. We've faced numerous challenges, from regulatory and funding issues to technological and personnel hurdles.
Despite these, our goal remains the same: to innovate and educate with our technology, all while maintaining cost-effectiveness and scalability. Overcoming these challenges involves a combination of sequential tackling and persistence. Successful organizations have found ways to quickly problem-solve around challenges. While we may not end up where we started, it's the problem-solving process that matters. Despite the multitude of challenges, including those beyond technology, our aim is to unite our team towards a common goal and achieve technological greatness.
Can you explain simply how you convert carbon into carbon-negative chemicals and fuel? What's the scientific process?
We combine carbon dioxide, which is the most problematic gas causing climate change, with hydrogen. We can source the carbon dioxide from anywhere, but it’s currently sourced from traditional fermentation plants. When corn is fermented, it releases emissions. We capture these emissions and combine them with hydrogen that we produce through a process called electrolysis. The CO2 and hydrogen are mixed inside our carbon conversion reactors, resulting in a variety of chemicals and fuels. These are then separated for their individual uses. This is a simplified explanation of the process. That’s the simplified version.
The aviation industry's impact on our planet is well-documented. How receptive have people within the aviation industry been to SAF?
People are receptive to the need for it. Aviation accounts for two to three per cent of global CO2 emissions annually, so it's a big chunk of emissions per year. The need for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is understood, but skepticism remains due to the lack of success in actually creating it. Despite the potential, there have not been enough successful companies or technologies to prove its viability. This skepticism will likely persist until companies like ours demonstrate that SAF can be produced sustainably and cost-effectively. Legislative changes in countries like the US and the EU have enabled companies to accelerate their processes through cost reduction. However, it needs to be a collective effort. The industry is supportive and eager for faster progress. This support is encouraging, but there's an understanding that there hasn't been much success in this area yet. It's time for us and companies like us to demonstrate that success is possible.
Earlier you said: "It's not going to be just us that solves this issue.” What other technologies and inventions are really inspiring you?
There is such a multitude of amazing new materials and ways of manufacturing that have come about in the last several years. I'm so fascinated by it. I'm particularly fascinated when diverse industries merge, like robotics and AI, to innovate. This cross-sector collaboration often leads to exponential growth in innovation. I'd also love to see more companies emerge in the carbon utilization field. Converting carbon dioxide into usable products is a complex process requiring substantial resources. While the rate of innovation is already impressive, it would be exciting to see it accelerate even more.
Is there a specific innovation or technology that's really got you excited recently, something that's really broken out that you feel inspired by or relate to?
That's a really good question. I might be biased, but I believe the innovation rate within our organization is incredibly high. The team’s accomplishments over the past six months, which we have not yet publicized, are truly going to impress people. I'm also excited about the transportation sector as a whole, including ground, aviation, rocketry. The advancements in drone technology, particularly over the last 24 to 36 months, are really exciting. The ability to transport people and provide delivery services, coupled with the industry's growth rate and regulatory approvals, makes it an thrilling field.
“When you have the ability to merge creativity with things like technology, some of the most beautiful innovations are born.”
Greg Constantine — AIR COMPANY Founder
You have a history of working in art and music. How have those experiences shaped and informed your work at AIR COMPANY? At Parley, we often refer to artists and creatives being foundational to this movement so I just wondered about your background and how it shaped what you're doing now.
It is definitely one thing I commend about Cyrill as well, and the thing we've bonded on, for sure. I studied in the arts and grew up in and around that world. I think that when you have the ability to merge creativity with things like technology, some of the most beautiful innovations are born. For us at AIR COMPANY, design is definitely a core pillar of our business. When you're doing things that are new and innovative and different, but you're going into traditional heritage, archaic industries, to be able to educate people through design and through creativity allows you to separate yourselves from others as well. That's what draws people into wanting to understand more about the technological footprint you're trying to create.
It’s essential for our business from a storytelling perspective, especially when we started with these consumer-based products that were made in such a vastly different way. The best way to educate people is just to put the best possible product in front of them. It's a big part of what we do, and I'm fortunate that it's a pillar of our business that has allowed us to grow. It's actually a real competitive advantage for the company and the thing that really inspires people internally in the organization to work on. When you're working on things like technology and innovation, part of it is very formulaic for sure, but a lot of it is problem solving. When you're innovating in science, you have to problem solve. So, you're having to be creative. You're having to really think about how to solve a scientific challenge through innovation and you need to think creatively. Everything we do, it's really about creativity and problem solving.
I read a quote of yours where you said, "How can we mimic trees? How can we do what trees do, just faster?" At Parley, we often talk about nature being the best designer. How important do you think it is for us to all look at nature for inspiration?
Nature is the biggest and best inspiration that we have. It's the foundation of how we live and what we live on. We are nature. Even if you just think about the best possible source of energy that we could ever get, it's right above us for the majority of our day, and it's the sun. From a technology perspective, trees remove carbon dioxide and they put out oxygen. That's exactly what our technology does. It utilizes CO2 and puts out oxygen as a byproduct. I think that we should often look at how nature inspired the growth and development of the human race, of humanity, of the planet, and think about how we can integrate that into future developments of technology, no question.
How important do you think optimism is for all of us and to the climate movement in general?
Optimism and realism both play important roles in our lives, and maintaining a healthy balance between the two is crucial. It's not enough to simply assume that everything will be alright and that others will solve the problems at hand. I think we must recognize the challenges that exist and actively work towards solving them. Personally, I'm very optimistic about the future because of the work we're doing, and I hope other companies and individuals are doing the same to help advance humanity. Times of need often inspire our best creative output, and given the current circumstances, we're seeing some incredible work being done.
“We should often look at how nature inspired the growth and development of the human race, of humanity, of the planet, and think about how we can integrate that into future developments of technology.”
Greg Constantine — AIR COMPANY Founder
AIR COMPANY factory in Brooklyn, New York
A lot of substantial, well-informed and well-reported climate journalism is understandably alarmist about the future. What is giving you hope that we can steer our planet back on a safe course and as AIR COMPANY says: "Extinction ends here"?
I'm in a biased position because I get to see the work every day. I'm in a fortunate position where I get to see the progress that's being made. I get to see the government and legislative changes that are happening in real time and that gives me hope. I definitely understand where folks are coming from when there are the alarmist headlines that are out there that are pushing people in a sense of climate anxiety, which I think can be detrimental to people and to humanity as well. I think there really needs to be that healthy balance, which is why it's so important that folks like yourself are shining spotlights on companies, organizations, and technologies that are out there. People get to see what we see, which is the amount of incredible work, smart minds, and talented people that are working on technologies like this for the better of humanity and for the better of the planet.
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