May 3, 2010 - Rentech, Inc. announced that a successful engineering validation flight was conducted by United Airlines using Rentech's certified synthetic jet fuel (RenJet(R)). The flight marks the first time a U.S. commercial airline has used synthetic jet fuel in flight and underscores Rentech's leadership role in a lower carbon future with the use of domestic technology and resources to fuel the nation's transportation needs.

In December 2009, United, along with twelve other domestic and international passenger and cargo carriers, signed a Memorandum of Understanding that is intended to serve as a framework for a future definitive supply agreement for approximately 250 million gallons per year of certified synthetic jet fuel from Rentech's proposed synthetic fuels and power facility in Adams County, Mississippi (Natchez Project).

The validation flight was conducted using a 40/60 mix of Rentech's synthetic jet fuel with conventional Jet A fuel in one of two engines on an Airbus 319 aircraft. The aircraft departed Denver International Airport and climbed to an altitude of 39,000 feet where the onboard team collected data on the performance of the fuel during several maneuvers, including taxi, takeoff, climb, cruise, auxiliary power unit start, descent and approach. The synthetic jet fuel, derived from natural gas and converted to liquid fuel through the Rentech Fischer Tropsch process, is approved by the ASTM International and is safe for use on passenger flights.

Captain Joseph Burns, United Airlines managing director, technology and flight test, led a team of 19 engineers and observers on board the flight. Definitive results and analysis of the performance of the synthetic jet fuel and the aircraft are expected within the next 10 days.

In August 2009, United was among eight airlines who signed an unprecedented multi-year agreement with Rentech for up to 1.5 million gallons per year of renewable synthetic diesel (RenDiesel(R)) for ground service equipment operations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) beginning in late 2012, when Rentech's Rialto Renewable Energy Center is scheduled to go into service.

Earlier this year, Rentech and ClearFuels Technology jointly received a $22.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to construct a biomass gasifier at Rentech's Energy Technology Center in Denver. The gasifier will be integrated with Rentech's Product Demonstration Unit for the production of renewable synthetic fuels from biomass in late 2011.

Rentech, Inc. incorporated in 1981, provides clean energy solutions. The Company's Rentech-SilvaGas biomass gasification process can convert multiple biomass feedstocks into synthesis gas (syngas) for production of renewable fuels and power. Combining the gasification process with Rentech's unique application of proven syngas conditioning and clean-up technology and the patented Rentech Process based on Fischer-Tropsch chemistry.