According to EU-Startups, Oxford-based climate tech company OXCCU has secured €2 million through the ATI Non-CO₂ Programme, making it the first sustainable aviation fuel company to receive this specific grant. The funding comes from a partnership between the Aerospace Technology Institute, Department for Business and Trade, and Innovate UK. CEO Andrew Symes confirmed the money will be used to investigate non-CO2 effects of OXFUEL, the company’s synthetic crude product. The project runs from July 2025 to June 2027 with total funding reaching €3.4 million through combined industry and government investment. OXCCU, founded in 2021 as a University of Oxford spin-out, recently raised €23.7 million in September 2025 and operates from Begbroke Science Park and London Oxford Airport.
Europe’s SAF scene is heating up
Here’s the thing – OXCCU isn’t operating in a vacuum. Across Europe, we’re seeing similar startups moving from pilot to commercial scale, and the funding is flowing. Germany’s Spark e-Fuels raised €2.3 million for its first pilot plant, Spain’s Catalyxx secured €3 million for SAF R&D, and Netherlands-based Brineworks landed €6.8 million to scale direct-air-capture technology. Basically, there’s a quiet arms race happening in sustainable aviation fuels, and governments are placing their bets.
What makes OXCCU different
OXCCU’s approach uses a novel iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst that works directly with CO2, skipping multiple steps that other processes require. They claim this means less hydrogen input per amount of jet fuel and lower capital costs. They’ve already validated the technology at their OX1 demonstration plant at Oxford Airport in 2024. So while everyone’s talking about sustainable aviation fuel, OXCCU is betting that simpler chemistry will win the cost race.
Why non-CO2 effects actually matter
Most people focus on CO2 emissions when they think about aviation’s climate impact. But the non-CO2 effects – things like soot particles that can cause cloud formation at altitude – represent a huge unknown in the warming equation. This funding specifically targets understanding these effects, which could be substantial for climate strategy. It’s smart positioning – OXCCU isn’t just making cleaner fuel, they’re trying to understand the full climate picture of burning it.
The UK’s SAF push
OXCCU is positioning itself as a leader in the UK’s push toward 10% sustainable aviation fuel inclusion in jet fuel by 2030. With operations at Oxford Airport and backing from multiple government programs, they’re well-placed to benefit from national climate targets. The question is whether their single-step process can scale cost-effectively enough to compete with other approaches. If their technology delivers on its promises, they could become a significant player in Europe’s race to decarbonize aviation.
