Future Fuels for Flight and Freight Competition (F4C)

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The F4C was launched on the 27 April 2017 by the Department for Transport (DfT) to promote the development of an advanced low carbon fuels industry within the UK, including supplier capabilities and skills in relevant technologies, while maximising value for money for the taxpayer.

The F4C will provide up to £20 million in capital grant funding over 3 years (2019-21). Through the scheme, DfT aims to increase domestic production of advanced low carbon fuels capable of tackling emissions from the hard-to-decarbonise aviation and HGV sectors in pursuit of long-term UK decarbonisation targets. In 2018, the F4C provided up to £2 million of Project Development Funding for Stage 1 to support the development of proposals.

The F4C operates in two stages; Stage One (Project Development) and Stage Two (Capital Funding). There will be no further calls for applications under the F4C programme.

The following diagram outlines the steps within the F4C, from initial interest to final projects.
  

Stages of the F4C

F4C competition process diagram

Projects must have passed Stage One to be eligible for Stage Two.

Objectives

The key objectives of the competition are:

  • To increase domestic production of advanced low carbon fuels capable of tackling emissions from the hard-to-decarbonise aviation and HGV sectors in pursuit of long-term UK decarbonisation targets.
  • To stimulate investment and create jobs through the development of a prosperous domestic industry.

Our objectives for projects within the competition are:

  • Technology demonstration: deliver meaningful technical, route to market, and/or supply chain innovation.
  • Fuel production: produce a sufficient quantity of fuel for testing or sale at a scale appropriate for the fuel type.
  • Commercial potential: have a clear strategy for commercialising the technology and the products, demonstrating the potential for significant value to the UK.
  • Emissions reduction: demonstration of significant greenhouse gas reduction vs fossil fuel, and the highest standards of sustainability.
  • Project execution: bring together a team with the necessary expertise and experience to deliver the project according to its objectives.

Applications

The Stage Two application deadline was Monday 10 December 2018, 1200 hours. Following a detailed evaluation process four projects were shortlisted to proceed to Stage Two. Prior to final grant award all shortlisted projects have to undergo further due diligence.

In October 2019 Rika Biogas Technologies Ltd were awarded a Stage Two grant of £5M, and in December 2019, KEW Projects were awarded a Stage Two grant of £1.5m.

Project Title Lead Organisation Status
Straw to Liquid Biomethane (LBM) Demonstration Plant        Rika Biogas Technologies Ltd £5M Grant awarded
Altalto ( Velocys Waste to Jet Fuel Project) Altalto Immingham Ltd Short listed
Sustainable Aviation Fuel From Waste-Based Ethanol LanzaJet UK Limited Short listed
Integrated ATC & F-T Demonstration Plant Kew Projects Limited £1.5m Grant awarded


Velocys’ Altalto waste-to-jet project and Lanzajet’s alcohol-to-jet project continue to develop their project proposals as part of the F4C. The Department for Transport remains committed to the projects and look forward to seeing progression towards Stage Two of the competition.

To access further background documents please download the files from the links below:

Any questions?

Please email F4C@ricardo.com if you have any questions.