Mitsubishi turns CO2 into jet fuel in breakthrough synthetic fuel demo

The breakthrough was achieved at MHI’s Research & Innovation Center in Nagasaki

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has successfully demonstrated an integrated process that turns carbon dioxide, water and electricity into liquid synthetic fuel — marking a major step toward large-scale sustainable aviation fuel production. 

The breakthrough was achieved at MHI’s Research & Innovation Center in Nagasaki, where the company produced liquid synthetic fuels through a fully integrated system.  

The process uses SOEC co-electrolysis to generate hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which are then converted into liquid fuels using Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis equipment. Chemical analysis confirmed the resulting fuel contains components suitable for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

Co-electrolysis is a process for electrolysis of both water vapor and carbon dioxide, allowing for simultaneous production of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which are the feedstock for synthetic fuels. In addition, MHI is utilizing its proprietary technology to develop a tubular type SOEC cell stack. 

Co-electrolysis in this SOEC cell stack is expected to simplify the process and improve economic efficiency through highly efficient electrolysis, supporting the production of cost-competitive synthetic fuels. 

The development comes as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) pushes the aviation sector toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Under ICAO’s roadmap, low-carbon fuels such as SAF and carbon credits are expected to account for more than 70% of emissions reductions and offsets — driving a sharp rise in global SAF demand. 

MHI says it plans to capitalize on that demand by delivering high value-added SAF production systems that combine SOEC co-electrolysis with existing FT synthesis processes. 

Beyond aviation, the hydrogen and carbon monoxide produced through SOEC co-electrolysis can also serve as feedstock for carbon-neutral synthetic fuels for cars and ships — including gasoline, diesel, methanol and methane — as well as city gas. The broad versatility of the technology positions it as a potential cornerstone of industrial decarbonization. 

Going forward, MHI will utilize the knowledge gained from this demonstration to establish and implement decarbonization technologies at an early stage, and contribute to the realization of a sustainable, carbon-neutral world.