Avina Clean Hydrogen and Gov. Pritzker Announce Sustainable Aviation Fuel Facility in Southwest Illinois

Short Hills, NJ – Avina Clean Hydrogen is proud to announce a transformative $820 million investment in the development of a state-of-the-art sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility in Southwest Illinois. Leveraging KBR's alcohol-to-jet technology, the facility will produce up to 120 million gallons of ASTM-certified SAF annually, offering a significant reduction in carbon emissions. The project will play a vital role in meeting the aviation industry’s decarbonization targets while supporting Illinois’ clean energy goals.

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“We are thrilled to bring this groundbreaking SAF production facility to Southwest Illinois,” said Vishal Shah, Founder & CEO of Avina Clean Hydrogen. “This project underscores our commitment to pioneering clean fuel solutions that reduce carbon emissions, support job creation, and advance the state’s clean energy economy. With the support of Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), this facility will position Illinois as a key player in the growing sustainable aviation fuel market.”

The new facility will take advantage of Southwest Illinois’ existing rail and pipeline infrastructure, ensuring efficient delivery of SAF to major airports in the Midwest, including Chicago O’Hare International Airport. This strategic location will not only help drive the decarbonization of the aviation sector but also create a lasting economic impact for the region.

Governor JB Pritzker emphasized the significance of the project for Illinois:“Illinois is proud to be a leader in the nation’s clean energy industry, and we’ve seen record growth over the past few years as companies choose to relocate to or expand across our state. Avina Clean Hydrogen’s new SAF production facility will support our ambitious goals for a clean energy economy by substantially reducing carbon emissions and creating new jobs for Southwest Illinois.”

The facility is expected to prevent 25 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually over its operational lifespan, a monumental step toward achieving global emissions reduction targets. In addition to environmental benefits, the project is expected to create 157 full-time jobs and support 1,000 construction jobs, providing significant employment opportunities in Southwest Illinois.

Avina Clean Hydrogen’s investment is supported by the state’s Reimagining Energy and Vehicles (REV) program, which provides competitive incentives to clean energy projects in Illinois. This project also aligns with the 2024 Economic Growth Plan, which prioritizes clean energy production and sustainable manufacturing as key drivers of Illinois’ economic future.

“Clean energy production and advanced manufacturing are two key growth sectors in Illinois,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “This state-of-the-art facility will provide job opportunities for hardworking Illinoisans and aligns with the state’s continued efforts to create a cleaner economic ecosystem.”

About Avina Clean Hydrogen Inc.

Avina Clean Hydrogen develops large-scale clean fuel solutions for hard-to-abate sectors. Leveraging advanced technologies, Avina designs, builds, and operates facilities that produce cost-effective clean fuels for industries such as aviation, maritime, and mobility.