Airbus and Sinopec to jointly develop renewable jet fuel in China

Aircraft maker Airbus SAS and Sinopec, China’s largest fuel supplier, have agreed to work together on developing cleaner jet fuel in the country. This agreement comes as part of the companies’ efforts to help China establish airworthiness certification for renewable jet fuels made from locally grown plants. Sinopec has developed its own technology for producing large quantities of aviation fuel from biomass and waste oil at a new refinery near Shanghai.
The two companies are also working on setting up an alternative fuel “value chain” in China, which would bring together growers, distributors and government agencies to help accelerate its commercialization. China Eastern Airlines Corp. said it is joining Airbus’ network. Airbus and Boeing Co. are two of the airplane producers that build supply networks for alternative fuel in the aviation industry, which makes up 2% of world carbon-dioxide output.
Airbus has joined a group including Virgin Australia to study the use of eucalyptus mallee trees for jet fuel. It also has an agreement with Brazil’s Embraer SA to collaborate on aviation biofuels. The aviation industry aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions by half in 2050 from to 2005 levels. (September 27, 2012)