Berlin Startup Cracks Code for Cheaper Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Dr. Arno Zimmermann (CTO), Dr. Julia Bauer (CSO) and Dr. Mathias Bösl (CEO) - © Spark
Berlin-based startup Spark e-Fuels has secured €2.3 million in pre-seed funding to advance its innovative sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production technology. According to the company's announcement, the funding round was led by Nucleus Capital, with participation from Zero Carbon Capital, IBB Ventures, and other investors.
The company's breakthrough lies in its approach to handling renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. While these energy sources have become increasingly cost-effective, their intermittent nature has historically posed challenges for e-fuel production. Spark's proprietary technology addresses this by incorporating a demand-responsive system that can adapt to fluctuating energy availability. The patented energy-saving e-fuel synthesis process enables load-flexibility, delivers exceptional CO2 conversion at lower operating temperatures, and requires no CO2 recycling stream.
"For sustainable aviation fuel to become the industry standard, production must be both scalable and cost-competitive. Our technology unlocks this potential by integrating renewable energy in a demand-responsive way," explained Mathias Bösl, CEO and Co-Founder of Spark e-Fuels.
The technology's potential extends beyond aviation into the broader chemical industry, which is currently the second-largest industrial greenhouse gas emitter after steel. The startup's innovation has already gained recognition, winning the 2024 UpLink Sustainable Aviation Challenge from the World Economic Forum.
The investment round attracted notable business angels, including former executives from Shell, Lufthansa, BP, and Siemens Energy. The company plans to use the funding to build its first e-fuel pilot plant and expand its team for accelerated technology development.
