Sustainability
Velocys brings UK waste-to-fuel ambitions online with Fischer–Tropsch system commissioning
The FT system is now online and operating as expected, demonstrating the practical integration of advanced gasification and FT synthesis technologies in a waste-to-fuels pathway
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By ICN Bureau | April 02, 2026
Velocys has announced the successful commissioning of its Fischer–Tropsch (FT) system at Sustainable Molecules Ltd’s (SuMo) Sustainable Molecules Facility (SMF), marking a major milestone in the UK’s push towards sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
The FT system is now online and operating as expected, demonstrating the practical integration of advanced gasification and FT synthesis technologies in a waste-to-fuels pathway. Initial operations confirm the system’s reactor performance, including temperature control and carbon monoxide conversion, is consistent with design expectations.
“This is a meaningful milestone for both teams,” said Matthew Viergutz, Chief Executive Officer of Velocys. “Seeing the system come online and operate as expected at a customer site reinforces the strength of our technology and the progress being made toward practical, deployable waste-to-fuels solutions.”
The commissioning builds on Velocys’ proven track record in FT deployment. The company’s technology has already operated at commercial scale at its ENVIA facility in Oklahoma City and been demonstrated in integrated SAF production with partners in Japan. The Wednesbury launch represents the next chapter in applying this technology to the UK’s waste-to-fuels sector.
“The commissioning of the FT system is a significant step forward — not just for SuMo and Velocys, but for the UK’s waste-to-SAF ambitions,” said Kamal Kalsi, Chief Executive Officer of SuMo. “Bringing together advanced gasification with Velocys’ FT technology gives us confidence in the pathway and its potential to deliver at scale.”
The project forms part of the UK Department for Transport–funded ClearSkies initiative, which aims to demonstrate a fully integrated waste-to-SAF system combining gasification, FT synthesis, upgrading, and carbon capture on a single site.
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