OXCCU

OXCCU is an Oxford University spin-out developing a patented one-step catalytic process to convert waste carbon dioxide and green hydrogen directly into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), chemicals, and biodegradable plastics. The company was founded in 2021 and is headquartered at Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, with its first demonstration plant, OX1, operational at London Oxford Airport.

Aviation accounts for approximately 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions, but existing sustainable fuel production routes remain prohibitively expensive — typically two to five times the cost of conventional jet fuel. The primary culprit is the multi-step nature of conventional pathways, which require CO₂ to first be converted to carbon monoxide before further synthesis. OXCCU's iron-based catalyst eliminates this intermediate step entirely, enabling a single-reactor conversion that significantly reduces capital costs and overall production expenses.

OXCCU's technology platform centres on its proprietary OX•CATALYST™, which drives the direct synthesis of jet-fuel-range hydrocarbons from CO₂ and hydrogen. The catalyst is feedstock-flexible, capable of processing reformed biogas, gasified wood waste, CO₂ with green hydrogen, and industrial gas streams from steel or cement production. The company's OX1 plant has demonstrated high conversion rates and strong selectivity, and its second demonstration plant, OX2, located at Saltend Chemicals Park, is expected to be fully operational in 2026 — the step from lab-scale validation to commercial-volume production.

OXCCU has raised over £40 million in total funding, including a £20.75 million ($28 million) oversubscribed Series B in September 2025 backed by IAGi Ventures (International Airlines Group's corporate venturing arm), Safran Corporate Ventures, Orlen VC, and existing investors including Aramco Ventures and Clean Energy Ventures. The company has been named to Cleantech Group's 2025 Global Cleantech 100, received an ATI Programme grant for emissions research, and won the 2026 Startups 100 Sustainability Award. OXCCU aims to produce 10,000 tonnes of SAF annually before 2030.