LanzaTech Wins Contract to Supply NTPC with 4G Ethanol Tech for Carbon Recycling

LanzaTech Global, Inc., a leader in carbon recycling, has secured a contract from Jakson Green, a new energy transition platform, to supply its 4G ethanol technology to NTPC Limited, India’s largest power generation utility. The technology will be implemented at NTPC's facility in Central India, where it will use LanzaTech’s platform and second-generation bioreactor to convert CO2 emissions and green hydrogen into ethanol.

LanzaTech implements its biorecycling solution at industrial sites to capture carbon-rich gases before they are released into the atmosphere. Inside the bioreactor, LanzaTech's technology operates similarly to a brewery, but instead of using yeast to ferment sugar into beer, it employs proprietary microbes to transform carbon-rich gases into sustainable fuels, chemicals, and raw materials. LanzaTech's second-generation bioreactor enhances this process by using CO2 and hydrogen to produce ethanol, which serves as a crucial component for manufacturing consumer goods and sustainable fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel.

CO2 is increasingly recognized as a valuable waste feedstock for the circular carbon economy, and its effective use in carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies requires hydrogen (H2) as an input. LanzaTech has demonstrated its technology’s capability to utilize CO2 in refinery settings, such as with IndianOil Corporation. The NTPC project represents a new venture into the power generation sector, where CO2 will serve as the exclusive carbon source. NTPC’s new carbon recycling facility aims to showcase LanzaTech’s technology’s readiness to support regions advancing energy transitions, potentially enabling the local production of sustainable fuels, chemicals, and raw materials from waste.

The plant has been conceptualized and designed by LanzaTech in collaboration with NETRA (NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance), NTPC Ltd.'s R&D division. Jakson Green is utilizing its engineering expertise to spearhead the development of this innovative project in Chhattisgarh, India. The company will oversee the entire project lifecycle, including design, engineering, procurement, and construction. This pioneering facility is anticipated to have an annual CO2 abatement capacity of 7,300 tons, equivalent to the carbon sequestration of 8,523 acres of forest land. The plant is expected to commence operations within two years.

Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech and a board member of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), stated, “Our collaboration with Jakson Green on the NTPC project enhances our presence in India and establishes a pathway for the commercial use of CO2 as a key feedstock. Utilizing waste-based feedstocks aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s Make in India initiative by promoting local manufacturing of essential goods and materials. What benefits the environment can also be advantageous for business.”

Mr. Kannan Krishnan, Joint Managing Director of Jakson Green, remarked, “This partnership on NTPC's groundbreaking project marks a pivotal moment in India's clean energy evolution. By utilizing our established expertise in Power-to-X projects, we are advancing these innovative technologies. This collaboration paves the way for sustainable 4G ethanol production. Our leadership in this field will significantly bolster LanzaTech's mission to transform clean energy solutions in India and set the stage for a future driven by sustainable resources.”

Jakson Green has a broad portfolio in the green molecule sector, including projects such as India's largest green hydrogen fueling station and a cutting-edge low-carbon methanol plant for major public sector undertakings. This new project represents their sixth major Power-to-X initiative within 18 months, reinforcing their leadership in India's clean energy transition. With over 8,500 tons per annum (TPA) of green hydrogen and its derivatives in development, Jakson Green is well-positioned to propel India towards a sustainable future.

In India, LanzaTech’s carbon recycling technology is actively producing ethanol from refinery emissions at Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat facility, which is one of six commercial-scale plants worldwide utilizing LanzaTech’s technology. Last year, LanzaTech formed a strategic partnership with GAIL to explore cutting-edge technology solutions that support GAIL’s Net Zero 2040 objectives. Additionally, LanzaTech is collaborating with Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited on a project to produce ethanol from agricultural residue, and is involved in several other projects at various stages of development across different feedstocks.