Willis Sustainable Fuels (UK) Limited, a subsidiary of Willis Lease Finance Corporation, has chosen Wilton International in Teesside as the site for its new Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production facility.

The plant, located on the industrial site owned and operated by Sembcorp Utilities (UK) Limited, is designed to produce 14,000 tonnes of SAF annually from 2028, cutting lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by over 80% compared to traditional jet fuel.

The project, backed by a £2.9 million grant from the UK Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund, will convert hydrogen (from biomethane derived from waste or that produced via electrolysis) into aviation fuel. Technology partners Johnson Matthey and Axens will support process development, with McDermott leading engineering.

Construction is expected to create around 200 jobs, with 50 permanent roles once operational.

By establishing operations at Wilton International, Willis Sustainable Fuels strengthens Teesside’s position as a key hub for the UK’s clean energy transition, leveraging existing infrastructure and expertise to scale sustainable fuel production.