Velocys And SuMo Commission Fischer–Tropsch System At Wednesbury Facility, Advancing UK Waste-To-SAF Pathway

Fischer–Tropsch system commissioning demonstrates integration readiness for UK waste-to-fuels deployment

Velocys today announced the successful commissioning of a Fischer–Tropsch (FT) system at Sustainable Molecules Ltd’s (SuMo) Sustainable Molecules Facility (SMF) in Wednesbury, England.

The system is now online and operating as expected, marking an important step in demonstrating the integration of advanced gasification and FT synthesis technologies within a waste-to-fuels pathway.

This Fischer–Tropsch system commissioning provides early validation of how Velocys’ microchannel FT technology can be deployed alongside upstream conversion technologies in a practical, site-based environment.

The FT unit, installed and commissioned at the SMF site, was brought into operation over a short timeframe and is currently running under stable conditions. Initial operation has confirmed expected reactor performance, including temperature control and carbon monoxide conversion behaviour consistent with design expectations.

Importantly, this milestone builds on Velocys’ established track record in Fischer–Tropsch deployment. The company’s FT technology has previously operated at commercial scale, including at its ENVIA facility in Oklahoma City, and has been demonstrated in integrated SAF production with partners in Japan. The Wednesbury commissioning represents the next application of that proven capability in a UK waste-to-fuels context.

The work is complementary to the broader ClearSkies project, which has received funding from the UK Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund. ClearSkies aims to demonstrate a fully integrated waste-to-SAF production system, combining advanced gasification, FT synthesis, upgrading, and carbon capture on a single site.

“The commissioning of the FT system is a significant step forward — not just for SuMo and Velocys, but for the UK’s waste-to-SAF ambitions,” said Kamal Kalsi, Chief Executive Officer of SuMo. “Bringing together advanced gasification with Velocys’ FT technology gives us confidence in the pathway and its potential to deliver at scale.”

“This is a meaningful milestone for both teams,” said Matthew Viergutz, Chief Executive Officer of Velocys. “Seeing the system come online and operate as expected at a customer site reinforces the strength of our technology and the progress being made toward practical, deployable waste-to-fuels solutions.”

SuMo’s SMF facility has demonstrated its gasification technology to TRL8, while Velocys contributes its microFTL technology, including modular microchannel reactors and proprietary catalyst, enabling efficient conversion of syngas into liquid hydrocarbons.

Together, the companies plan to build on this milestone by expanding demonstration capabilities at the SMF site, progressing toward a fully integrated SAF production system.

The modular nature of the combined solution enables deployment at existing waste handling locations, offering a pathway to lower infrastructure costs and improved scalability compared to centralized production models.

The ClearSkies project aligns with the UK’s broader ambitions to develop domestic SAF capacity, strengthen fuel security, and advance circular economy solutions within the energy transition.