New ASTM standard approves use of renewable fuel in jet fuel

ASTM International, one of the the world’s largest standards organizations, has approved the use of renewable fuels in jet fuel when it is blended with conventional commercial jet fuel. The new standard, ASTM D7566-11, Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons, has been hailed as major step in reducing fuel emissions in the airline industry. John Heimlich, vice president and chief economist for the Air Transport Association of America (ATA) said, “The Air Transport Association of America and America’s airlines commend ASTM for this critical and significant step, which brings the airline industry one step closer to meeting our environmental goals of widespread production of cleaner, alternative fuels while enhancing energy supply security and competitiveness.” The new standard allows for up to 50% of bio-derived synthetic blending components to be added to commercial jet fuel. The renewable fuels are identical to conventional jet fuel except that the fuel components are produced from feedstocks such as algae, camelina, jatropha or animal fats. (July 2,2011)