Brazil, Embraer and the Inter-American Development Bank have announced that they will jointly fund a sustainability analysis for producing renewable jet fuel using Brazilian sugarcane as a feedstock.
Brazil is already the world's leading producer of ethanol derived from sugarcane.
In an extraordinary partnering, the World Wildlife Fund will serve as an independent reviewer and advisor for the study, Boeing announced on its website.
Inter-American Development Bank Inter-American Development Bank Director Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho said, "Emerging renewable jet fuel technologies have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly, as sugarcane ethanol in Brazil has already proven. This study will examine the overall potential for sustainable, large-scale production of alternative jet fuels made from sugarcane."
The innovative study will evaluate environmental and market conditions associated with the use of renewable jet fuel produced by Amyris Brasil S.A., a majority-owned Brazilian company a subsidiary of California-based Amyris. Amyris, an integrated renewable products company, is applying biotechnology to develop high-performance alternatives to petroleum-sourced fuels.
Boeing Vice President of Environment and Aviation Policy Billy Glover said, "Collaborative research into the cane-to-jet pathway is important for diversifying aviation's fuel supplies, and also builds on the strong renewable energy cooperation established between the Unites States and Brazi. With aviation biofuel now approved for use in commercial jetliners, understanding and ensuring the sustainability of sources that can feed into region supply chains is critical and Brazil has a strong role to play there. This project also expands upon existing collaboration between Amyris, the State Government of Queensland, and Boeing."
By. Charles Kennedy, Deputy Editor OilPrice.com
Charles is a writer for Oilprice.com More