United Airlines has recently announced that the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund has made a strategic investment in Heirloom, a company specializing in carbon dioxide capture technology. This initiative aims to integrate Heirloom’s innovative technology into United’s ongoing commitment to sustainability in the aviation sector.

The investment will also allow the Fund to secure up to 500,000 tons of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to be utilized for producing sustainable aviation fuel or stored underground.

Heirloom’s scalable technology uses the natural properties of limestone to capture CO2 directly from the atmosphere, positioning it as a cost-effective option for carbon removal.

“Carbon capture is one of our country’s fastest growing, energy enabling pathways,” said Andrew Chang, the head of United Airlines Ventures. “At UAV, our primary focus is finding solutions for decarbonization that are profitable. Heirloom’s technology aligns directly with this objective, offering a scalable and commercially viable approach and complements United’s commitment to net zero by 2050.”
(Translation: Andrew Chang emphasizes the urgency and profitability of carbon capture technologies in achieving sustainable aviation goals.)

Shashank Samala, CEO of Heirloom, expressed pride in the partnership, stating, “We are incredibly proud to welcome the United Sustainable Flight Fund as an investor and to work with them to scale our DAC technology.”
(Translation: Samala acknowledges the significance of this partnership in advancing carbon capture technology.)

The UAV Sustainable Flight Fund represents a pioneering investment vehicle aimed at promoting decarbonization efforts within the air travel industry, mobilizing over $200 million in contributions from partners including major airlines and corporations.