AltAir Fuels

Vandewater was the lead investor and controlling shareholder of AltAir Fuels from 2013 until its sale to World Energy in 2018. Established in 2013, AltAir Fuels was created to produce low carbon fuels and chemicals derived from sustainable feedstock. For its first commercial project, AltAir partnered with Alon Energy USA (now Delek) to retool idled refining equipment on the 62 Acre Paramount refining facility, increasing the nation’s energy supply, while positively impacting the southern California economy.

Through process technology developed by Honeywell’s UOP, AltAir retrofitted an existing refinery to produce renewable biofuel. AltAir has worked extensively with Honeywell’s UOP to demonstrate the commercial viability of the Honeywell Green Jet and Green Diesel process. Utilizing this technology, the AltAir facility is the first refinery in the world capable of in-line production of both renewable jet and diesel fuels. The facility converts non-edible natural oils and agricultural waste into 36 million gallons of low-carbon, advanced biofuels and chemicals per year. These advanced biofuels are drop-in replacements that provide the same performance as conventional petroleum-based fuel and require no modification to factory-standard engines or aircraft, with which they are fully compatible.

AltAir Fuels has also created strategic partnerships with the U.S Navy, United Airlines, KLM, Gulfstream and World Fuel Services to offer cost-competitive and sustainable biofuels at commercial scale. These aviation and naval leaders have agreed to purchase more than 100 million gallons of low-carbon, renewable jet fuel over a multi-year period.