Twelve

Twelve (formerly Opus 12) is a carbon transformation company developing chemicals, materials, and fuels using carbon dioxide, that are otherwise produced using fossil fuels. The company’s core technology is the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), a shiny black leaf that transforms CO2 into feedstocks. This proprietary catalyst electrifies CO2 and water and produces oxygen, syngas, and water as outputs. The MEA is arranged in stacks that can be scaled to form Opus, an industrial-scale carbon transformation system that can be plugged into industrial systems to use CO2 from the point of emission or from direct air capture. 

As of March 2024, Twelve is constructing its first carbon transformation facility known as “Airplant” in Moses Lake, Washington. The facility will produce E-Jet, Twelve's Power-to-Liquids sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and is set to be operational towards the end of 2024.

Key customers and partnerships

As of March 2024, Twelve was taking pre-orders for its carbon transformation solution, having partnered with several automotive, household, apparel, and other companies, including Mercedes-Benz, Procter & Gamble, and NASA. In October 2021, Twelve partnered with LanzaTech to develop polypropylene from carbon emissions. During the same month, the company partnered with Emerging Fuels Technology (EFT) and ​​the US Air Force’s Operational Energy Office to produce its first batch of fossil-free jet fuel, called E-Jet. In November 2021, Twelve signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Exosonic, to develop SAF compatible with Exosonic’s jet engines. 

In July 2022, Twelve partnered with Alaska Airlines and Microsoft to supply SAF for a commercial flight demonstration. In September 2022, Twelve collaborated with Virgin Voyages to launch E-Marine, Twelve’s sustainable marine fuel solution.  In February 2024, the company signed a 14-year agreement with International Airlines Group (IAG) to produce 260 million (~785,00 tons) gallons of SAF to support five European airlines, including British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, LEVEL, and Vueling.

Funding and financials

The company’s most recent funding was in June 2022, when it raised USD 130 million in a Series B funding round led by DCVC. The company intended to use the funds to scale up the production of materials produced from CO2 emissions. In July 2021, Twelve raised USD 57 million in a Series A funding round led by Capricorn Technology Impact Fund and Carbon Direct Capital Management. The proceeds were expected to be used to scale Twelve's technology.