Can green jet fuel take off fast enough?

A Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) demonstration plant in Villigen, canton Aargau, now showcases a methanol-to-jet fuel pathway using renewable inputs. PSI and Swiss start-up Metafuels inaugurated the world’s first such demonstration facility in late August. The pilot converts renewable methanol—made from green hydrogen and captured CO₂—into synthetic jet fuel that has recently been certified for aviation use. Metafuels says the route can cut lifecycle emissions by up to 90% versus fossil kerosene and can be used in existing aircraft. The article notes aviation’s 2–3% share of global CO₂ and argues the industry’s main hurdle is scaling production affordably and on time. Metafuels uses green hydrogen from water electrolysis powered by renewables and captured CO₂ from biogenic sources or direct air capture.