The first investment in United Airlines’ new Sustainable Flight Fund is $5 million for the algae biofuel company Viridos, the carrier announced Monday. The investment will support the production of sustainable aviation fuel made from algae.

Viridos specializes in the bioengineering of microalgae to produce oil that can then be used for the production of SAF, according to United. Based on current estimates, SAF created by Viridos’ algae oil is expected to have a 70 percent reduced carbon footprint on a lifecycle basis when compared with traditional jet fuel. 

RELATED: United Launches $100M SAF Investment Fund