The global fuel crisis sparked by the Iran War has led to a surge in demand for alternative fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Texas-based startup Syzygy Plasmonics has developed a light-operated biogas reactor to produce synthetic fuels from biogas without combustion, renewing interest in producing fuels from renewable feedstocks for national defense and economic security. Syzygy's focus on sustainable and resilient fuel production includes a project in Uruguay aiming to produce SAF with significantly lower emissions than conventional fuel, with plans to scale up production and establish a competitive business model within the SAF field. The company has also signed agreements to license its bio-based solutions for significant fuel production volumes, with federal energy policymakers open to renewable resources like biomass, geothermal energy, and hydropower. The Iran war has contributed to closing the cost gap between sustainable aviation fuels and traditional fuels, making Syzygy's biogas-to-fuel SAF system increasingly attractive in the market.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/05/11/us-innovator-crosses-the-bridge-from-powdered-milk-to-saf/