CATAGEN Secures Essential Funding for Sustainable Aviation Initiatives
CATAGEN, a Northern Irish company renowned for its innovative technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, has successfully obtained commercial funding secured by a guarantee from UK Export Finance (UKEF), the government’s export credit agency. This financial support comes at a pivotal time as CATAGEN looks to enhance its operations in the Titanic Quarter and further develop its subsidiary, ClimaHtech Green Flight, which focuses on producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). SAF serves as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional jet fuel, derived from sustainable sources rather than fossil fuels.
In addition to its SAF initiatives, CATAGEN is expanding its capabilities through CATAGEN Green Emissions Testing, offering comprehensive testing services that assist vehicle manufacturers in meeting stringent global emissions regulations. The company employs a workforce of 50 highly skilled individuals and collaborates with a network of 85 suppliers across the UK.
Government Officials Acknowledge the Importance of CATAGEN’s Work
Minister for Trade Anas Sarwar expressed his support, stating that CATAGEN embodies the type of innovative enterprise the government seeks to promote in order to stimulate growth across all regions. He emphasised that businesses such as CATAGEN are crucial to the modern Industrial Strategy, providing highly skilled jobs and positioning the UK as a leader in both clean energy and aviation.
Minister for Northern Ireland Sarah Owen echoed these sentiments, highlighting that the UK Government’s support not only bolsters CATAGEN but also reinforces Northern Ireland’s talented workforce, ensuring the region remains at the forefront of sustainable aviation and technological advancements. She noted that this government-backed financing is set to foster further innovation in clean energy and underscores the commitment to enhancing Northern Ireland’s economic landscape.
CATAGEN’s Impact and Global Collaborations
Founded by Dr Andrew Woods, who holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University Belfast, CATAGEN boasts a multidisciplinary team and engages with a wide array of partners across the UK, Europe, and the US. Its collaboration network includes notable names like ROUSH, Zenvo, Ducati, Ryanair, Shell Aviation Ireland, Vinci Airports, and LoganAir.
The UK government’s industrial strategy for manufacturing and exports places a strong emphasis on clean growth and sustainable aviation, with CATAGEN’s developments in lower-carbon aviation fuel exemplifying this ambition. The company’s Green Flight technology employs an innovative method of producing SAF with minimal carbon emissions through the use of small, modular production units, which can be deployed flexibly and scaled as needed.
Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Future Growth
Lauren Dougherty, the Export Finance Manager for Northern Ireland at UKEF, praised CATAGEN for transforming innovative Northern Irish concepts into modular technologies for global markets. The backing from UKEF is anticipated to facilitate the company’s transition to commercial production, expand its reach to international customers, and support local employment and suppliers in Northern Ireland.
Businesses interested in exploring similar opportunities are invited to attend UKEF’s Northern Ireland Business Forum in Belfast on 6 October. This event will connect exporters, finance professionals, and government representatives to provide insights on available support, risk management in international trade, and strategies for global expansion.
The Significance of UKEF’s Support for Clean Growth
Dr Andrew Woods, CEO and Founder of CATAGEN, acknowledged that UKEF’s support has been crucial in facilitating the transition from late-stage product development to commercialisation. This backing has accelerated the company’s SAF technology while also fortifying CATAGEN’s intellectual property base and laying the groundwork for further international expansion.
The potential for economic advancement in this sector is considerable, as the global market for sustainable aviation fuel is expected to grow significantly in response to the aviation industry’s decarbonisation targets. This presents a unique opportunity for CATAGEN to export its home-grown technologies into a rapidly expanding global marketplace.
This announcement precedes UKEF’s Northern Ireland Business Forum, a complimentary half-day conference designed to educate Northern Irish businesses on how government-backed finance and insurance can mitigate risk, secure overseas contracts, and foster growth in international markets. UKEF is also dedicated to supporting UK businesses in their transition to a low-carbon economy, aiming to facilitate at least £10 billion in clean-growth financing between 2024 and 2029, with interim targets for emissions reductions in its oil and gas, power, and aviation financing, ultimately striving for net zero financed emissions by 2050.
Through initiatives like CATAGEN, UKEF aims to enhance UK exports. In the past financial year, UKEF provided over £11 billion in loans, guarantees, and insurance to assist UK companies in expanding their export capabilities, thereby supporting approximately 85,000 jobs and contributing up to £6.4 billion to the economy.