RTI International has announced the expansion of its pilot plant facilities with the RTI Pilot Xcelerator (RPX), a move designed to accelerate the growth of emerging technologies towards market readiness. The expansion builds on the foundation laid by the Energy Technology Development Facility (ETDF), established in 2013, which was set up at RTI’s 180-acre campus in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
The ETDF originally provided a space for biofuels production technology that had outgrown its laboratory setting. Since then, RTI has expanded its capabilities in areas such as carbon capture and low-carbon fuel production. Many of these technologies have progressed from the lab to the marketplace, demonstrating the impact of providing an environment that supports innovation.
The RPX program is described as a cross-functional matrix that brings together expertise from across the organization. The new facility is designed to be flexible and scalable, supporting technology developers working in energy, chemicals, biotechnology, agriculture, the circular economy, and critical minerals. According to RTI, the new space will operate as a plug-and-play facility, offering an adaptable environment for a range of projects.
RTI’s approach aims to address challenges in scaling up technologies and moving them from prototype to pilot systems. The organization emphasizes that bridging the so-called “Valley of Death” in technology commercialization requires both technical and commercial readiness. RPX integrates engineering with business strategy to reduce risk and speed up deployment.
The RPX offers services such as market opportunity assessments, technoeconomic and lifecycle analyses, supply chain strategy development, customer discovery, and business model validation. These are aimed at supporting government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and startups.
Recent collaborations at RPX include a demonstration with Syzygy Plasmonics that used light-driven chemical reactions to convert simulated landfill gas into sustainable aviation fuel. Following this project, Syzygy announced plans for a commercial plant in Uruguay using the same technology. RTI has also worked with Lydian Labs and is collaborating with Aether Fuels and GTI Energy on a large-scale demonstration.
RTI views the RPX expansion as a commitment to supporting the next generation of sustainable technologies. The organization will share more about RPX at the upcoming Trellis Conference in San Jose, California, from October 27-29, where team members will be available to discuss the facility.
“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.”
“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.”
