Japan’s Mitsui invests in U.S. synthetic fuel start-up Twelve

Mitsui & Co., Ltd. has announced its investment in Twelve Benefit Corporation (Twelve), a California-based startup pioneering synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technology. Twelve’s innovative E-Jet® fuel is produced using clean energy, water, and CO₂, offering a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels.

Twelve’s CO₂ electrolysis technology transforms carbon dioxide into synthetic gas, the foundation for low-carbon fuels. The company’s first manufacturing plant, under construction in Moses Lake, Washington, U.S.A., is set to begin operations in 2025, producing up to five barrels of fuel per day. Offtake agreements for e-SAF, e-naphtha, and environmental credits have already been signed with major companies including Alaska Airlines, International Airlines Group (IAG), and Microsoft.

Expanding low-carbon solutions

Mitsui, alongside Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, the Development Bank of Japan, and other investors, is strengthening its carbon value chain strategy by supporting technologies such as direct air capture (DAC) and CO₂ utilisation in fuel production. The company aims to scale carbon-neutral fuel production globally, linking biomass and DAC-derived CO₂ sources to diverse fuel demands, reinforcing its commitment to building a sustainable carbon management industry.“Initially we will deepen our collaboration with Twelve on efforts to develop clean energy by expanding production and sales of carbon-neutral fuels. We will work to maximize value across the value chain by linking diverse sources of CO₂, such as biomass and DAC, to demand for various types of fuel,” according to Mitsui. “By expanding the low-carbon fuel business on a global scale, we will contribute to the creation of the carbon management industry.”