In Shanghai's Lin-gang Special Area, an ambitious project is turning atmospheric carbon dioxide into aviation fuel.

Carbonology opened an R&D center in Lin-gang on Jan 23. Founded in October 2024, the company focuses on carbon technology and aims to replace fossil carbon sources with carbon dioxide.

Carbonology's R&D center in Lin-gang Special Area. [Photo/Carbonology]

At the inauguration ceremony, the world's largest production line for air-sourced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), capable of 100 metric tons, was revealed.

Inside Carbonology, adsorption units capture high-purity carbon dioxide from the air and transport it via pipelines. After a series of chemical reactions, these gases are eventually transformed into SAF. The technical design specifies that every 400 tons of captured carbon dioxide can be converted into 10 tons of SAF.

Due to the high energy demand of carbon capture, the technology is considered more suitable for China's northwestern regions, where wind and solar resources are more abundant. Nevertheless, the company located its R&D innovation center in Lin-gang.

Founder Ren Yuxiang said that Lin-gang is a testing ground for technological innovation. With comprehensive support and professional services from Lin-gang, the center was completed within just five months.

Lin-gang has established an industrial cluster that includes new-energy equipment, advanced manufacturing, and green finance. The area is also actively seeking partnerships with countries abundant in wind and solar resources to strengthen its role in the global green energy industry.