How Syzygy Plasmonics is turning biogas into cost-competitive sustainable aviation fuel

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Oct 2, 2025

Trevor Best, co-founder and CEO of Syzygy Plasmonics, dives into innovative technology transforming biogas into sustainable aviation fuel. He discusses the advantages of using light-driven photocatalysis over traditional methods, allowing for efficient conversion of waste without extensive cleaning. Trevor outlines the ambitious goal of scaling their biogas-to-SAF plant in Uruguay. He also highlights the immense global potential for biogas, the importance of strategic partnerships, and shares his leadership philosophy of persistence and listening.

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INSIGHT

Biogas Converted To Low‑Carbon Drop‑In Jet Fuel

Syzygy's Nova SAF turns biogas from landfills, dairies and wastewater into low-carbon drop-in jet fuel.
This simultaneously mitigates methane emissions and decarbonizes aviation at potentially low carbon intensity.

INSIGHT

Photocatalysis Enables Raw Biogas Feedstock

Syzygy's photocatalyst uses light not heat, enabling operation on raw biogas with far less cleanup.
That allows reactors to be built smaller, cheaper and remain active despite CO2, oxygen and other contaminants.

INSIGHT

CO2 Inclusion Boosts Yield And Economics

Using CO2 in the reaction increases fuel yield versus pathways that strip CO2 out of biogas.
Lower CapEx, higher yield and on‑site scalability make jet fuel parity achievable at low feedstock and power prices.

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In this episode, we speak with Trevor Best, Co-founder and CEO of Syzygy Plasmonics, who shares how his company’s proprietary photocatalytic technology converts waste biogas into sustainable aviation fuel, and has the potential to reach fossil jet fuel parity.

Best discusses:

NovaSAF’s unique value proposition: converting biogas from landfills, dairy farms, and wastewater treatment plants into SAF, simultaneously addressing methane emissions whilst decarbonising aviation transport.
The technology’s competitive advantage: using light instead of heat which enables the use of raw biogas without extensive cleanup, scaling efficiently at smaller sites, and increasing yield by incorporating CO2 into the fuel rather than separating it out.
Strategic targeting of stranded biogas assets that are far from natural gas grids, which helps secure feedstock at low prices $5-6 per MMBtu, making jet fuel parity achievable.
How Syzygy is building the world’s first biogas-to-SAF plant in Uruguay, that can produce 400,000 gallons of SAF anually, serving as proof of concept before scaling to 100,000 tons per year by 2030 through clustered developments.
The global biogas opportunity: the International Energy Agency estimates reserves could theoretically produce 580 million tons per year of SAF, exceeding total global jet fuel consumption, though 95% remains stranded today.

Best also shares his leadership philosophy: the importance of listening over talking, the inevitability of failure in entrepreneurship, and why persistence matters more than avoiding mistakes.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Dave Kettner, President and General Counsel at Virent, who shares the company’s pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future in aviation. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Syzygy Plasmonics

Syzygy Plasmonics begins development of the world's first electrified biogas-to-SAF plant - PR Newswire

Syzygy Plasmonics outlines dual-certified, cost effective RFNBO and Bio SAF solution as Europe calls for urgent action on Net-Zero aviation - BioEnergy Times

Syzygy Plasmonics and Velocys partner for sustainable aviation fuel production in Uruguay - ChemAnalyst