Chicago Construction News staff writer
Avina Clean Hydrogen Inc. is building a $820 million facility in Southwest Illinois to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The project is expected to significantly advance Illinois’ clean energy goals, strengthen its growing clean energy economy, and support the aviation industry’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
The facility, set to produce up to 120 million gallons of SAF annually, will use KBR’s alcohol-to-jet technology. Once operational, the facility is expected to prevent an estimated 25 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually from aviation while creating about 1,000 construction jobs. The investment also underscores the state’s commitment to clean energy, job creation, and environmental stewardship.
“Our facility will take advantage of existing rail and pipeline infrastructure for efficient delivery of ASTM-certified fuel to Chicago O’Hare and other major airports around the Midwest,” said Vishal Shah, founder and CEO of Avina Clean Hydrogen. “We are excited to bring jobs, investment, and clean energy innovation to Illinois while supporting the aviation industry’s decarbonization efforts.”
The SAF produced at the new facility will play a crucial role in reducing the carbon footprint of aviation, a sector that is seeking to meet aggressive decarbonization targets. The project aligns with Illinois’ broader goals outlined in the 2024 Economic Growth Plan, which prioritizes clean energy and advanced manufacturing as core drivers of economic growth.
State Representative Dave Vella (D-Loves Park) emphasized the dual benefits of the SAF facility, not just for the environment but also for the state’s workforce and economy.
“This project is essential to the state’s commitment to creating a greener Illinois,” Vella said. “Investing in sustainable aviation fuel production is not only great for our environment, but also for our state’s workforce and economy.”
As the aviation industry continues to seek cleaner alternatives, the new facility in Southwest Illinois will play a pivotal role in meeting federal SAF targets while providing a major boost to the state’s clean energy sector. The project also complements the broader goals of the 2024 Economic Growth Plan, which includes fostering innovation and ensuring long-term, sustainable growth in industries like clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and transportation.
This project represents a significant step forward in Illinois’ efforts to decarbonize its economy while creating good-paying jobs and leading the charge in clean energy innovation.
