Embraer, GE, Azul, and Amyris team for sustainable fuel project
Embraer, General Electric, and Amyris have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to evaluate the technical and sustainability aspects of Amyris’s No Compromise renewable jet fuel, with the aim of a demo flight, by early 2012, of an Embraer E-Jet using GE engines and belonging to Azul Linhas Aéreas.
The overall goal is to accelerate the introduction of a renewable jet fuel that could significantly lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and provide a long-term sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived jet fuel.
“Greening the skies is a rather complex subject and requires broad industry expertise and commitment,” remarked Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer president & CEO. “The partnership with top-level players will certainly represent an important step towards this endeavour.”
Amyris’ renewable jet fuel is a promising alternative to the conventional petroleum-derived jet fuel. It is made from existing sugar cane feedstock, and is positioned to bring supply security, renewable content, price stability, and significant reductions in GHG emissions to the jet fuel pool. “This is a great innovating step by the airline industry in the fight against global warming,” commented David Neeleman, chairman of Azul.
The new fuel has already undergone previous testing conducted by the US Air Force Research Laboratory, Southwest Research Institute, GE Aviation, and other industry participants.
“GE is committed to develop and produce the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly jet engines for the airlines, worldwide,” says Chuck Nugent, general manager of GE Aviation Small Commercial Engines. “However, much additional work is required in other areas, in order to achieve greener skies. This partnership reinforces GE’s commitment.”
The Brazilian government (via Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos – FINEP) is already contributing funding to Amyris’s programme. Brazil has the world’s largest crop of sugar cane and associated expertise in ethanol production, which constitutes important leverage for developing renewable jet fuel.
“This is a landmark project for air travel,” declared Amyris CEO John Melo. “It demonstrates that a united industry can usher in an era of cleaner air travel, while using sustainable resources.”
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