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Metafuels is focused on developing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) solutions to enable affordable air travel while reducing carbon footprints. Their proprietary aerobrew technology converts green methanol to SAF.
Metafuels has raised $17.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Metafuels has raised $17.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Metafuels is a Swiss cleantech startup founded in 2019 that develops Aerobrew, a proprietary technology converting green methanol (bio-methanol or e-methanol) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for the aviation industry.[1][2][3] It serves airlines and fuel producers by addressing aviation's decarbonization challenge, producing drop-in-ready SAF with up to 90% lower lifecycle carbon emissions than conventional kerosene through high-yield, efficient processes powered by renewable electricity, green hydrogen, and captured CO₂.[1][2][5] The company has raised $22 million in funding, including grants, and advances projects like the Turbe plant in Rotterdam (initial 12,000 liters/day SAF, scaling to 120,000 liters/day) and Pizol in Denmark, with a pilot plant at Paul Scherrer Institut and commercial plans by 2027.[1][2][4]
Metafuels was founded in 2019 in Adliswil, Switzerland, by three energy sector veterans with decades of experience in decarbonizing energy, chemicals, and heavy industry.[2][3][5] Saurabh Kapoor, CEO and co-founder, leads the team, which partnered early with the renowned Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) to invent Aerobrew after identifying SAF gaps in aviation fuel tech.[1][3][6] The idea emerged from exploring scalable e-fuel routes, leading to successful pilot trials that validated high-selectivity methanol-to-jet conversion, derisking the tech and attracting $22 million in investments like a $5 million Swiss grant.[1][6] Pivotal moments include 2024 announcements for Rotterdam and Denmark facilities, plus a McDermott FEED contract for Turbe, marking industrialization.[1][2]
Metafuels rides the SAF megatrend, critical for aviation's net-zero 2050 goals amid EU decarbonization mandates and rising demand for e-fuels.[1][3] Its timing aligns with scaling green hydrogen, renewable electricity, and direct air capture (DAC) advancements, plus geopolitical shifts favoring non-food biomass and CO₂ utilization over contested feedstocks.[1][4][5] Market forces like policy incentives, airline SAF mandates, and Rotterdam/Denmark infrastructure favor it, positioning Aerobrew to overcome e-SAF cost/scale barriers that limit rivals.[1][2][4] By licensing tech and building pioneer plants, Metafuels influences the ecosystem, enabling affordable net-zero air travel and cargo while boosting Europe's SAF capacity.[3][4]
Metafuels is poised for commercialization with 2027 pilot launches, Turbe FID, and 2030s gigascale plants, potentially licensing Aerobrew to accelerate global SAF adoption.[1][4][6] Rising electrolyzer costs drops, DAC maturity, and SAF blending mandates will shape its path, driving cost parity with fossil jet fuel.[4][5] Its influence could expand as a SAF tech leader, enabling airlines to meet emissions targets without premium pricing—transforming air travel from climate challenge to net-zero reality, as its mission promises.[3]
Metafuels has raised $17.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Metafuels's investors include Contrarian Ventures, DOMO Invest, Energy Impact Partners, Romero Rodrigues.
Metafuels has raised $17.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $9.0M Series A in November 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1, 2024 | $9M Series A | — | Contrarian Ventures, DOMO Invest, Energy Impact Partners, Romero Rodrigues | Announced |
| Dec 1, 2023 | $8M Seed | — | Contrarian Ventures, DOMO Invest, Energy Impact Partners, Romero Rodrigues | Announced |