Firefly Green Fuels and Synagro Technologies, Inc. have partnered to bring Firefly’s novel fuel-production techniques to the American market. Synagro, a provider of sustainable solutions for biosolids, organics and residuals, has agreed to be the exclusive supplier of the biosolids feedstock used in Firefly’s innovative process.

Firefly has developed a process to turn biosolids into a product slate of highly sustainable, high-performance fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The company uses a process known as hydrothermal liquefaction, which chemically alters the biosolids waste, breaking it down into biocrude and biochar. The crude is then upgraded into SAF, and the remaining biochar goes to various uses.

Independent analysis by Cranfield University has shown that Firefly’s SAF offers a highly significant 92% CO₂e saving versus fossil jet fuel.

The two companies are working together to prove out the technology in North America and secure additional participants. Firefly is currently building a first-of-a-kind facility in Harwich, England, and expects to expand into North America in the near future.