RTI uses cookies to offer you the best experience online. By clicking “accept” on this website, you opt in and you agree to the use of cookies. If you would like to know more about how RTI uses cookies and how to manage them please view our Privacy Policy here. You can “opt out” or change your mind by visiting: http://optout.aboutads.info/. Click “accept” to agree.

Insights

Building the Future of Innovation Engineering: Inside RTI's Pilot Xcelerator

Sameer Parvathikar Program Director of RPX & Senior Director of Sustainable Energy Solutions
Add as a preferred source on Google
five construction hard hats on top of five golden shovels. Two cranes in the background

RTI Pilot Xcelerator ground breaking ceremony.

This blog is a part of a series on Trellis Impact 25, an event addressing climate technologies, biodiversity, and clean energy. Read the full series here.

At RTI International, innovation is in our DNA. For decades, our teams have worked on technologies that solve real-world challenges and make the world cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable. And now, we are taking another big step forward with the expansion of our pilot plant facilities with RTI Pilot Xcelerator.

From the ETDF to RPX: Advancing Pilot Plant Innovation

Our story began back in 2013 with the establishment of the Energy Technology Development Facility (ETDF). At the time, our biofuels production technology had matured to the point where it was outgrowing its laboratory space, and we needed a dedicated home for larger-scale projects. Our 180-acre home in Research Triangle Park, NC was the perfect space to set up ETDF. That move sparked something incredible – a new model for advancing laboratory prototypes to pilot-scale demonstrations. 

Carbon Capture

RTI’s gas absorption system is a controlled experimental system for testing CO₂ capture solvents with real or simulated flue gas. It features advanced controls, a scrubbing tower, a rotating bed unit, and precise energy monitoring. The unit can capture up to 100 kg per day of CO₂ and can provide a real flue-gas generated CO₂ stream for more real-world process conditions.

Catalytic Biomass Pyrolysis

RTI’s catalytic biomass pyrolysis unit converts biomass into biocrude for refining. It uses a transport reactor, hopper feeder system, and various feedstocks and catalysts, enabling extensive testing for scale-up and downstream product impact analysis. With capability to process 1 ton per day of biomass, the unit produces biocrude, which can be further distilled and treated to produce biodiesel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and other sustainable chemicals and products.

Aviation Fuel Production

RTI’s Fischer-Tropsch reactor converts syngas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide) to hydrocarbon fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). It can integrate with other reformer units converting methane, hydrogen, oxygen and/or CO₂ to syngas to demonstration production of the desired end product at up to 2 barrels per day.

Over the years, we added new capabilities in carbon capture, low-carbon fuel production, and other emerging areas. Many of the technologies developed here are making their way into the marketplace. This is proof that when innovation has the right environment to grow, big things happen.

Building on these successes, we launched the RTI Pilot Xcelerator (RPX) and recently held the groundbreaking of an expanded facility. The RPX is a cross-functional matrix program that unites expertise from across RTI with one goal: accelerating the growth of emerging technologies towards market readiness.

Where Innovation Meets Engineering

Scaling up and technology commercialization is neither simple nor straightforward. From beakers in fume hoods to lab benches to pilot plants, every step offers lessons and going from one step to another requires a different set of skills. Our engineering team excels at turning concepts into working prototypes and pilot systems that prove what’s possible.

The new RPX expansion represents a leap forward. Unlike our current pilot facility that was designed around specific technologies and will continue to support innovations, the new space is a truly plug-and-play facility. It will be an ultra-flexible, scalable environment designed for technology developers across energy, chemicals, biotechnology, agriculture, circular economy, and critical minerals.

At RPX, we want innovators to focus on their core competencies, while we handle the rest. 

Bridging the "Valley of Death" in Technology Commercialization

Every innovator knows the challenge of crossing the so-called “Valley of Death”, a transition where many promising ideas stall. Bridging this gap requires innovators to progress both the technical and commercial readiness of their technologies. RPX’s approach is unique because it can address both these needs under one umbrella. RPX integrates cutting-edge facilities and expert engineering with business strategy to reduce risk and accelerate deployment. 

Our team's expertise in technology commercializing and innovation engineering for government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and startups by providing various services to innovators like:

  • Market opportunity assessments and intelligence
  • Technoeconomic and lifecycle analyses
  • Supply chain and go-to-market strategy development
  • Customer discovery and business model validation
Aerial shot of drawing for the new RPX. Big open building with a solar panel field and trees

Rendering of the new RPX facility that will open in 2026.

Accelerating Innovation, Reducing Risk Through Pilot Plant Expansion

Here’s how RPX supports innovation engineering every step of the way:

  • Accelerated scaling and deployment to bring technologies to market faster
  • Flexible, real-world testing under practical conditions
  • Independent validation to build market credibility
  • Regulatory data support, such as new pathways for sustainable aviation fuels production
  • Investor readiness, helping attract the capital needed for growth

Real World Results, Real World Impact

The work happening at RPX isn’t just exciting. It is changing industries.

In 2023-2024, we partnered with Syzygy Plasmonics to complete a truly groundbreaking demonstration: using light to drive chemical reactions to turn simulated landfill gas into sustainable aviation fuel. In June 2025, Syzygy announced plans for a commercial plant in Uruguay using that very same technology.

We’ve since supported Lydian Labs and are now working with Aether Fuels and GTI Energy on our largest demo yet. These projects highlight the power of collaboration in transforming innovation engineering and driving impact. 

Looking Ahead: The Next Era of Innovation Engineering

As we step into this next chapter, we do so with confidence grounded in experience, collaboration, and results. RPX is a commitment: to bridge the gap between innovation and impact, and to empower the next generation of technologies that will shape a sustainable future.

This is not just a milestone for RTI. It is a shared moment for all of us who believe in the power of science, innovation, technology, and collaboration. 

Join Us on the Journey

We’re always looking for new ways to turn great ideas into global impact. Whether you are a researcher, entrepreneur, or industry partner, RPX is here to help you scale your innovation and bring it to the world.

Opportunities to learn more about the RTI Pilot Xcelerator: RPX team members will be on hand to discuss more about the facility at the upcoming Trellis Conference in San Jose, CA, October 27-29. Please stop by the RTI booth in the exhibit hall to learn more.

Are you ready to see how your technology can scale to commercial readiness? Connect with our experts to explore the path forward.

Disclaimer: This piece was written by Sameer Parvathikar (Program Director of RPX & Senior Director of Sustainable Energy Solutions) to share perspectives on a topic of interest. Expression of opinions within are those of the author or authors.