Biofuels Digest Special Report on Aviation Biofuels: Commercial flights by 2012/13, algae the future

In today’s Digest, we present a special report on biofuels aviation, including in-depth coverage of the path to commercialization, feedstocks, airlines, aircraft manufacturers, engine makers and policy.

Commercialization outlook
Key: Look for the certification of biofuels for regular commercial flights by 2012/13. Full report on commercialization.

Feedstocks

Key: Jatropha, salicornia, algae and camelina are the likely feedstocks for aviation biofuels in the 2010s. Full report on feedstocks.

Research

Key: Global aviation is a key target of research because of the large footprint (5 percent of global fuel usage) plus the unique requirements of fuel burned at high altitude. Full report on research.

Fuel producers

Key: UOP expects to license their drop-in fuel process this summer. Full report on fuel suppliers.

Military aviation

Key: The military needs biofuels for strategic and logistics reasons, in addition to supporting climate change policy. Full report on military aviation biofuels.

Airlines

Key: Four airlines have tested biofuels successfully, more in 2009, as airlines aim for 10-30 percent conversion in the 2010s. Full report on airlines.

Aircraft manufacturers

Key: Airbus and Boeing have announced radically different timelines for the widespread adoption of biofuels in commercial aviation. Full report on manufacturers.

Policy

Key: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has set a goal of making planes 25 percent more fuel efficient by 2022. Full report on policy.

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