Gas released by decomposing cow manure could become fuel for airplanes. Circularity Fuels, a California company developing renewable fuels, has raised $7 million to move that idea toward commercial production. Its equipment is designed to turn the gas into liquid fuel at the farm. The company says a dairy-farm pilot has already produced jet fuel meeting industry specifications.
The new money supports an 18-month plan to build a demonstration plant that produces fuel daily, design a commercial facility, and secure fuel-buying agreements with airlines. Circularity also plans to license its technology so others can build plants. The next milestone goes beyond making a successful batch: a regular supply of fuel needs both a plant that runs consistently and customers committed to buying what it produces.
