Twelve: E-Fuels from Air and Water

Turning the invisible elements of air and water into sustainable fuels challenges what was once considered pure science fiction. Twelve, a pioneering company out of Berkeley, California, is doing exactly that by crafting e-fuels that have the potential to transform industries plagued by fossil dependencies. Their breakthrough technology harnesses carbon dioxide captured directly from the atmosphere combined with hydrogen derived from water, powered entirely by renewable energy. This ambitious approach represents more than innovation — it’s a critical advancement in the global carbon transition, aligning with urgent climate goals and industrial sustainability needs.

With the aviation sector responsible for approximately 2–3% of global CO₂ emissions, Twelve’s e-jet fuel promises a reduction in lifecycle emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional jet fuels. This leap forward not only drastically reduces carbon footprints but also creates drop-in fuels that require no engine modifications, offering a seamless replacement within existing supply chains. Supported by strategic partnerships with airlines and backed by Silicon Valley’s deep-tech investors, Twelve is rapidly scaling production facilities to meet emerging market demand, proving that synthetic fuels sourced from air and water can be commercially viable and environmentally essential.

Revolutionizing Fuel Production through Carbon Transformation Technology

The core technology behind Twelve’s breakthrough lies in a process that converts captured carbon dioxide and water into synthetic fuels. This process mimics photosynthesis but leverages advanced electrochemical methods powered by renewable electricity. First, CO₂ is captured either directly from atmospheric air or from industrial biogenic sources such as ethanol plants or pulp and paper mills. Simultaneously, water undergoes electrolysis to separate hydrogen. These building blocks—carbon and hydrogen—are then recombined through catalysis into hydrocarbons that form the basis of drop-in fuels and chemical feedstocks.

This carbon transformation technology offers several important advantages compared to traditional fuel production and carbon capture methods. Unlike carbon capture and storage (CCS), which sequesters CO₂ underground without utilizing it, this method repurposes carbon as a resource. Instead of a linear fossil fuel extraction and disposal cycle, Twelve pioneers a circular model where carbon circulates through the economy as a renewable input.

The company’s commitment to environmental integrity is reflected in the lifecycle analysis of their fuels. Tests confirm that these synthetic fuels have up to 90% lower greenhouse gas emissions than their petroleum counterparts, partly because the feedstock—captured CO₂—is already emitted carbon redirected into a productive cycle rather than newly extracted fossil carbon.

Key points illustrating Twelve’s transformative production process include:

• The utilization of renewable electricity from wind, solar, and emerging carbon-free sources like small modular nuclear reactors.
• Flexible CO₂ sourcing that can adapt from industrial point sources to scalable direct air capture (DAC) as costs decline.
• Feedstocks derived entirely from waste streams, ensuring minimal water and land use compared to biofuel alternatives.
• Creation of high-purity hydrocarbons that meet ASTM standards for sustainable aviation fuel and chemical feedstocks.
• Production scalability supported by strong financial backing and long-term contracts with global corporations.

In contrast to biofuels, which depend heavily on agricultural resources and can compete with food production or require intensive processing, Twelve’s e-fuels use an essentially unlimited supply of CO₂ and water without the environmental tradeoffs. This positions them as a scalable and sustainable solution tailored for industries requiring high energy density fuels.

Transforming Aviation Fuel to Power Sustainable Flight

The aviation industry’s carbon footprint has long presented significant challenges due to high energy density requirements and slow adoption of electrification. Twelve steps into this gap by offering E-Jet, a synthetic aviation fuel derived from air and water, which cuts emissions up to 90% while being fully interchangeable with current jet engines and infrastructures.

One of the most compelling validations of this technology’s impact is Twelve’s multi-year agreement with International Airlines Group, the parent company of British Airways. This sizable 14-year contract to supply over 785,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel signifies immense market confidence and sets a precedent for airlines worldwide. Furthermore, Twelve’s commercial-scale AirPlant One facility in Moses Lake, Washington, is projected to churn out approximately 50,000 gallons annually with plans for expansion to meet growing demand.

The shift from bio-based sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) to e-fuels presents strategic benefits. While traditional biofuels face obstacles stemming from feedstock limitations and land use concerns, Twelve’s approach liberates the supply chain from these constraints. The environmental advantages of reduced water consumption and no competition with agricultural land echo strongly in today’s climate priorities.

Industry integration is seamless thanks to the “drop-in” nature of these fuels. Airlines, airports, and fuel suppliers do not have to retrofit facilities or aircraft—facilitating smoother adoption. United Airlines’ recent investment in Twelve underlines this: Their Sustainable Flight Fund explicitly supports ventures that demonstrate the pathway to decarbonizing air travel through practical, scalable solutions.

Advantages of Twelve’s E-Jet sustainable aviation fuel include:

• Up to 90% lifecycle carbon emissions reduction compared to conventional jet fuel.
• Compatibility with existing aircraft engines and fueling infrastructure.
• A scalable, renewable feedstock supply chain sourced from atmospheric CO₂ and water.
• Substantial water and land resource savings relative to biofuel options.
• Potential to support global aviation decarbonization initiatives as production scales.

As the world edges closer to net-zero aviation, Twelve’s innovation offers a realistic and economically viable path forward, backed by strong investments and proven production technology.

Scaling Impact Beyond Aviation: Diverse Applications of E-Fuels and Carbon-Derived Products

Twelve’s mission transcends aviation, aiming to revolutionize various sectors by replacing fossil-derived materials with carbon-neutral alternatives crafted from air and water. Their technology creates building blocks for plastics, apparel fibers, electronics components, and chemicals, achieving a reduction in carbon impact in everyday products.

This diversification is important as many industries are yet to find scalable, low-carbon alternatives for their hydrocarbon-based inputs. Twelve’s “drop-in” chemical feedstocks seamlessly integrate into existing manufacturing lines, enabling companies to reduce carbon footprints without sacrificing quality or performance.

From running shoes to electronics, furniture to workout gear, incorporating carbon transformation-based materials can radically cut lifecycle emissions across consumer goods. Collaboration agreements with major corporations across industries showcase a growing appetite for sustainable, climate-positive materials that don’t require radical manufacturing changes.

Furthermore, this approach supports robust industrial innovation and supply chain resilience by offering a domestic, renewable production source free from fossil fuel price volatility and geopolitical uncertainties. This aligns with broader economic and climate resilience goals that organizations are prioritizing in 2025 and beyond.

Examples of Twelve’s product impact include:

• High-performance polymers for consumer electronics manufactured with carbon captured from ambient air.
• Durable and sustainable textiles for apparel featuring carbon-derived feedstocks.
• Eco-friendly components in automotive and transportation sectors.
• Synthetic chemicals replacing virgin fossil hydrocarbons used widely across manufacturing.
• Renewable detergents and household essentials crafted with a focus on environmental and health benefits.

This broad portfolio reimagines a world where everyday products contribute positively to the circular carbon economy, bolstering corporate sustainability commitments and offering palpable climate solutions.

Financial and Industrial Momentum Driving E-Fuel Adoption

Behind Twelve’s remarkable progress lies robust financial backing and growing industrial partnerships. The company’s recent capital inflows include a $645 million development round and a $400 million project equity partnership, enabling the construction and operation of AirPlants — their scalable production hubs.

Strategic alliances with corporations such as United Airlines, Microsoft, Shopify, and others facilitate access to offtake agreements that underpin project financing and de-risk commercial ventures. This creates a virtuous cycle where assured demand supports investment in new production capacity, accelerating technology scaling and price competitiveness.

The growing support spans sectors broadly focused on decarbonization technologies, renewable electricity infrastructure, and industrial innovation. Investors and partners recognize the significance of Twelve’s approach in addressing “hard-to-abate” emissions and providing solutions where biofuels and electrification face limits.

As renewable energy capacity expands, decreasing the costs of green electricity will create more accessible and affordable feedstock supplies for e-fuel production. Industry forecasts suggest that with continued investment and policy support, synthetic e-fuels could become cost-competitive with fossil fuels within the next decade.

Financial and industrial factors accelerating Twelve’s success:

• Multi-year offtake agreements with airlines and major corporations ensuring revenue stability.
• Substantial growth financing enabling the design and launch of commercial-scale facilities.
• Government and regulatory incentives supporting renewable fuels infrastructure and innovation.
• Backed by top-tier Silicon Valley investors with deep expertise in climate tech.
• Collaborations with other carbon capture and clean tech innovators like Twelve and United Airlines Ventures.

Renewable Electricity and Carbon Capture: Essential Pillars for Sustainable E-Fuels

The availability of clean energy and reliable CO₂ sources are critical enablers for producing sustainable e-fuels. Renewable electricity powers the electrolysis and CO₂ conversion processes, while carbon capture technologies provide the necessary feedstock. Though today point-source carbon capture from industrial emitters is the most cost-effective, direct air capture (DAC) technologies are rapidly advancing to supplement and eventually dominate as prices decline.

Leading companies like Climeworks, Carbon Clean, Carbon Engineering, and Global Thermostat illustrate a collaborative ecosystem driving down capture costs and improving scalability.

In parallel, renewable energy generation from solar, wind, and emerging technologies like small modular nuclear reactors is poised for exponential growth to meet the surging energy demands of e-fuel production. While current price pressures exist due to this demand spike, long-term investments promise to stabilize and reduce costs, enabling e-fuels to become increasingly competitive.

Key elements supporting sustainable e-fuel production:

• Expanding renewable electricity infrastructure with dedicated grids for green power.
• Technological advances in direct air capture and carbon recycling.
• Robust policy frameworks incentivizing carbon transformation industries.
• Cross-industry collaboration ensuring integrated supply chains for carbon-based materials and fuels.
• Synergies with hydrogen production growth facilitating green hydrogen availability.

This interconnected development between clean energy producers, carbon capture innovators, and companies like Twelve heralds a new industrial paradigm — one where carbon is no longer waste but a valuable feedstock that advances decarbonization at scale.

How does Twelve’s process differ from traditional fossil fuel production?

Twelve’s process uses renewable electricity to convert captured atmospheric CO₂ and water into synthetic fuels and chemicals, closing the carbon loop by recycling carbon rather than extracting new fossil carbon. This results in up to 90% lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Are Twelve’s e-fuels compatible with existing engines and infrastructure?

Yes, Twelve produces drop-in fuels that directly replace fossil fuels without the need for modifications, enabling immediate use in existing engines, particularly in aviation, maritime, and trucking industries.

What makes e-fuels more sustainable than biofuels?

E-fuels use CO₂ that has already been emitted and require far less water and land compared to biofuels, which often depend on agricultural crops or waste oils, making e-fuels a more scalable and environmentally friendly option.

How is the renewable electricity supply impacting Twelve’s operations?

Renewable electricity powers Twelve’s electrochemical processes. Although rising demand has caused some short-term price increases, long-term investment in clean energy infrastructure is expected to lower electricity costs, improving overall e-fuel economics.

What industries beyond aviation can benefit from Twelve’s carbon transformation?

Beyond aviation, industries such as consumer electronics, apparel, automotive, and household products can utilize carbon-derived materials to reduce their environmental footprint, thanks to the versatility of Twelve’s drop-in chemical feedstocks.