CleanJoule Commissions New CJ1 Facility, Marking Major Milestone in High-Energy Sustainable Aviation and Space Fuel Production
CleanJoule, a pioneering force in the development of next-generation sustainable fuels for aviation, aerospace, and defense applications, has officially announced the commissioning of its latest industrial-scale manufacturing facility, designated CJ1. This strategic achievement marks a pivotal moment in the company’s mission to transform fuel production through the delivery of CycloSAF and SpaceSAF—two proprietary synthetic fuel types with enhanced energy density.
Located on a 6-acre site near Salt Lake City, Utah, the new CJ1 facility represents a major step forward in CleanJoule’s efforts to scale its proprietary fuel technologies from pilot operations to full-scale industrial production. As a fully commissioned plant, CJ1 has now met rigorous operational and safety standards, ensuring it is equipped for sustained, efficient production of CleanJoule’s high-performance fuels. This commissioning milestone also means the company is well-positioned to transition toward commercial distribution, having met the final requirement of ASTM International’s D4054 certification pathway—a critical qualification for new aviation fuels seeking approval for blending with conventional Jet A/A-1.
A New Generation of Performance Fuels
CleanJoule’s advanced fuel products are uniquely designed to outperform conventional fossil-based jet and rocket fuels in both energy output and environmental sustainability. CycloSAF, the company’s flagship sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), delivers approximately 10% higher energy density than traditional Jet A fuel. This improvement translates directly into enhanced aircraft performance, including increased range, improved fuel economy, and better payload capacity—characteristics that are in high demand across both commercial and defense aviation sectors.
In addition to CycloSAF, CleanJoule’s SpaceSAF fuel is engineered specifically for use in spaceflight applications. Offering 4% greater energy density compared to super refined kerosene-based fuels currently used in liquid rocket engines, SpaceSAF enables improved range and payload for orbital and suborbital launch vehicles. As the global space industry continues its rapid expansion—driven by both private enterprises and national space agencies—CleanJoule’s innovations offer timely solutions to key performance and sustainability challenges.
Strategic Vision Behind CJ1
According to CleanJoule, the CJ1 facility is more than just a production site—it serves as a blueprint for the future of fuel manufacturing. By proving the scalability and industrial viability of its proprietary production processes, the company plans to replicate the CJ1 model in multiple locations to build a resilient, globally distributed fuel infrastructure. CleanJoule envisions each future site eventually scaling to output capacities of up to 100 million gallons per year, supporting both regional and international supply chains.
“This facility represents the culmination of years of research, innovation, and investment,” said Mukund Karanjikar, CleanJoule’s CEO and founder. “Following two successful years of pilot plant operations, the commissioning of CJ1 not only demonstrates the industrial viability of our advanced fuels, but also validates the commercial potential of our unique production pathway. We’re now prepared to meet the aerospace and defense sectors’ growing demand for high-performance, domestically-produced, sustainable fuels.”
CJ1’s completion also marks a significant strategic win for CleanJoule’s investors, stakeholders, and partners, who view the company as a disruptive player in the sustainable fuels market. With energy security and climate resilience becoming global imperatives, CleanJoule’s ability to generate high-energy fuels from abundant domestic biomass feedstocks is gaining attention among policymakers and regulators alike.
Addressing Market Demands and Energy Security
The commissioning of CJ1 comes at a time when the global aviation and space industries are under increasing pressure to decarbonize, diversify fuel sources, and reduce reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets. Traditional petroleum-derived jet fuels not only contribute significantly to global carbon emissions, but they also create vulnerabilities in the form of foreign dependence and supply chain fragility.
CleanJoule’s synthetic fuels address these challenges directly. The company’s patented fuel synthesis pathway uses readily available biomass feedstocks, enabling domestic fuel production that is not only more environmentally sustainable but also economically and geopolitically strategic. By reducing reliance on foreign oil and creating robust local supply chains, CleanJoule contributes to the United States’ broader goals around energy independence and national security.
“CleanJoule is exactly the kind of homegrown innovation our country needs right now,” said Aaron Starks, President and CEO of 47G, a Utah-based aerospace and defense consortium. “Their work is not only helping to decarbonize aviation and space industries but is also creating high-quality jobs, supporting agricultural communities, and building a more resilient domestic energy economy. It’s a powerful example of how companies rooted in Utah are helping fuel both national security and economic prosperity.”
ASTM Qualification and Industry Certification
CleanJoule’s fuels are currently undergoing the ASTM D4054 evaluation process—an internationally recognized testing protocol required for new synthetic aviation fuels to be certified for blending with conventional petroleum-based jet fuels. As of the CJ1 commissioning, CleanJoule has satisfied the final step in this multi-phase evaluation process, paving the way for commercial-scale approvals.
This qualification is particularly important for CycloSAF, which is being evaluated for drop-in compatibility with existing aircraft and fueling infrastructure. By meeting ASTM criteria, CycloSAF will be eligible to be blended with Jet A/A-1 up to approved limits, allowing airlines and defense contractors to adopt the fuel without requiring costly retrofitting or engineering changes to existing fleets.
Once approved, CleanJoule’s fuel will join a growing roster of SAFs authorized for use in commercial and military aviation. However, its superior energy density offers a distinct advantage over current SAFs, which often suffer from lower energy content and limited scalability. CleanJoule’s process offers a solution that does not sacrifice performance for sustainability—a rare and valuable combination in the energy transition landscape.
A Broader Vision for the Future
Looking beyond CJ1, CleanJoule has ambitious plans to accelerate the deployment of additional manufacturing facilities across strategic regions in the United States and potentially in allied nations. Each facility will be modeled on the CJ1 blueprint, which has now been validated for both technical and commercial success.
In addition to scaling up production capacity, CleanJoule aims to deepen partnerships across the aviation, aerospace, and defense ecosystems. The company is actively engaging with airlines, defense contractors, rocket launch providers, and agricultural suppliers to build an integrated supply chain that can support growing global demand for sustainable, high-performance fuels.
As the aviation industry works toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and as space missions become increasingly frequent and ambitious, the need for fuels like CycloSAF and SpaceSAF will continue to rise. CleanJoule’s technology platform positions the company as a key enabler in this transition—offering not only performance and reliability, but also a path toward a cleaner, more secure fuel future.
With the successful commissioning of the CJ1 facility, CleanJoule has reached a critical inflection point in its journey to revolutionize aviation and space fuel. This achievement affirms the viability of its cutting-edge production process, sets the stage for ASTM qualification, and establishes a scalable model for future expansion. As global demand for sustainable energy solutions grows more urgent, CleanJoule stands out as a leader prepared to meet the moment—delivering energy-dense, environmentally responsible fuels that support both technological progress and national energy independence.
