Boeing Seeks Approval for Green Diesel for Flights

Boeing is seeking approval for aircraft to fly on green diesel, made from oils and fats, that emits at least 50 percent less CO2 than fossil fuel over its lifecycle.

A Boeing analysis found green diesel is chemically similar to today’s aviation biofuel. If approved, green diesel could be blended directly with traditional jet fuel, the company says.

Green diesel production capacity already exists in the US, Europe and Singapore that could supply as much as 1 percent — about 600 million gallons — of global commercial jet fuel demand, Boeing says. The wholesale cost — about $3 a gallon with US government incentives — is competitive with petroleum jet fuel.

Boeing, the Federal Aviation Administration, engine manufacturers, green diesel producers and others in the aviation industry are compiling a report that they will submit to key stakeholders in the fuel approvals process. Boeing says these efforts follow its leadership in working with the aviation community in 2011 to include a blend of up to 50 percent aviation biofuel in international jet fuel specifications. The company is a member of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group, an industry working group that aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of aviation biofuels.

In September 2013, the FAA selected a team of universities to lead a new Air Transportation Center of Excellence (COE) that aims to benefit airlines by developing cleaner jet fuels and exploring other ways to meet next-generation air transportation environmental and energy goals. Boeing is a COE industry partner.

Also last year the USDA extended for five years its agreement to work with the FAA and commercial aviation partners, including Boeing, to help develop viable biofuels for the aviation industry.