Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace

Johnson Matthey launches HyCOgen

Johnson Matthey has launched an innovative technology – HyCOgen – designed to play a pivotal role in enabling the conversion of captured carbon dioxide (CO2) and green hydrogen into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Above: Jane Toogood, Sector Chief Executive, Johnson Matthey.
Courtesy Johnson Matthey

By combining HyCOgen with the award-winning FT CANS Fischer Tropsch technology (developed in collaboration with bp), Johnson Matthey offers an integrated, scalable solution for use in the efficient and cost-effective production of renewable power based SAF.

Advertisement
ODU RT

HyCOgen, Johnson Matthey's Reverse Water Gas Shift technology, is a catalysed process to convert green hydrogen and CO2 into carbon monoxide (CO), which is combined with additional hydrogen to form synthesis gas (syngas), a crucial building block in the manufacture of fuels and chemicals. The integration with the FT CANS technology provides an end to end, optimised and highly scalable process that turns over 95% of the CO2 into high quality synthetic crude oil. This synthetic crude oil can be further upgraded into sustainable drop-in fuel products including aviation fuels, renewable diesel and naphtha.

The scalability of the integrated HyCOgen/FT CANS solution enables cost-effective deployment across a wide range of project sizes – from small-scale, fed by hydrogen from a single electrolyser, through to world-scale with multiple large electrolyser modules.

The global aviation industry is responsible for 12%1 of transport related CO2 emissions, therefore substantial production of low carbon intensity SAF is essential to mitigate emissions. Both the EU2 and US3 are setting bold targets for its scale up and blending, and this is expected to increase SAF demand significantly. Johnson Matthey's HyCOgen solution, along with the FT CANS technology, can help increase the supply of SAF through its efficient production at scale.

Jane Toogood, Sector Chief Executive, Johnson Matthey, commented: "Given the challenges associated with new propulsion technologies and airport infrastructure, plus the long asset life of aircraft, there are significant hurdles in moving from hydrocarbon-based aviation fuel to alternatives such as battery electric or hydrogen. This is where Johnson Matthey's longstanding expertise and market-leading position in syngas generation technology can play a crucial role, by providing solutions that enable the production of sustainable drop-in fuels that are deployable today.

"By combining HyCOgen with FT CANS, we can now deliver customers a cost-efficient, reliable and scalable technology to help increase SAF production, backed by our track record of successful technology development and commercialisation."

Advertisement
ODU RT

 

 

 

Advertisement
Hexagon leaderboard
ATC punctuality stays high as air traffic grows

Aerospace

ATC punctuality stays high as air traffic grows

26 May 2026

Almost 98% of UK flights operated punctually in April, according to figures from UK air traffic controller NATS.

Air China Cargo increases A350F freighter order to 10

Aerospace

Air China Cargo increases A350F freighter order to 10

26 May 2026

Air China Cargo has signed a purchase agreement with Airbus for four additional A350F freighters, taking its total order for the type to 10 aircraft.

Loganair signs SAF offtake agreement with ClimaHtech Green Flight

Aerospace

Loganair signs SAF offtake agreement with ClimaHtech Green Flight

26 May 2026

Loganair and ClimaHtech Green Flight today announced a 15-year Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) offtake agreement, supporting the long-term decarbonisation of regional aviation in the UK.

NMIS reveals cold spray solution for copper rocket nozzle manufacturing

Aerospace

NMIS reveals cold spray solution for copper rocket nozzle manufacturing

26 May 2026

Engineers at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) have developed a copper rocket nozzle manufacturing route using high-pressure cold spray, showcasing the technology’s potential as a large-scale, rapid additive manufacturing solution for efficiently producing high-performance components.

Advertisement
ODU RT
RIAT 2026 cancelled

Aerospace Defence Security Events

RIAT 2026 cancelled

22 May 2026

This year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) will now not be taking place, cancelled due to issues regarding access to the event - at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire - amid concerns over conflict in the Middle East.

ADS appoints Andy Williams Director of ADS Scotland

Aerospace Defence Security Space

ADS appoints Andy Williams Director of ADS Scotland

22 May 2026

ADS, the trade association for the aerospace, defence, security and space industries, has announced the appointment of Andy Williams as Scotland Director.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB