Boeing and Alder Fuels Associate to Make Sustainable Aviation Fuel Available Worldwide
Boeing and Alder Fuels have established new cooperation to increase the global production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Using Boeing aircraft, the firms will test and certify Alder-derived SAF, develop policies to accelerate the transition to renewable energy in aviation, and increase the quantity of SAF for the worldwide aerospace market.
Alder Fuels' unique method enables the efficient conversion of abundant, sustainable forest leftovers and regenerative biomass into a jet fuel conversion "greencrude" with a minimal negative carbon footprint.
The Alder product is suited for conversion into drop-in SAF, which means it can be manufactured by existing refineries using their existing equipment and infrastructure. Alder anticipates the completion of its first facility in 2024.
Sheila Remes, Boeing's vice president of Environmental Sustainability, said:
"As we work toward the civil aviation industry's commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, we know that 700–1,000 times more SAF is needed to meet this goal. We also know that, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. forestry and agricultural residues alone could provide enough biomass energy to generate enough SAF jet fuel to displace 75 per cent of U.S. aviation fuel consumption. Partnerships like those with Alder enable us all to advocate for and scale SAF supply."
Boeing will support Alder-derived SAF testing and validation, including flight demonstrations to assure readiness. According to the Air Transport Action Group, a sustainability-focused industry alliance, the most significant possibility for the sector to reach and exceed its 2050 objective is the rapid and global expansion of sustainable aviation fuel and new energy sources.
Boeing committed in January 2021 to delivering 100 per cent SAF-capable aircraft by 2030 and is deploying SAF in its operations while working globally to expand the supply of SAF.
Alder Fuels CEO Bryan Sherbacow said:
"Alder's technology offers a future of gathering energy to power aircraft, instead of drilling for it, by converting widely available sustainable biomass into a sustainable product for refining into SAF. We can now scale up supply to meet the aviation industry's demand. This partnership with Boeing will expedite SAF availability around the globe, advance policies that ensure sustainability and foster environmental justice, and cultivate local economies."
Before establishing Alder Fuels, Sherbacow designed and oversaw the construction of the world's first SAF refinery in Paramount, California. The Alder Team has been at the vanguard of creating innovative techniques for manufacturing SAF, commercialising its use, establishing governmental policies for the sector, and driving industry-wide adoption campaigns.
Boeing was a pioneer in bringing SAF into existence. The company collaborated with airlines, engine makers, and other industry experts to qualify and undertake biofuel test flights in 2008 and to achieve commercial usage certification in 2011.
In conjunction with FedEx Express, the Boeing ecoDemonstrator flight test programme made the world's first commercial flight utilising 100 per cent sustainable fuel using a 777 Freighter in 2018. In addition, Boeing collaborated with U.S. government clients on SAF initiatives, such as SAF flight testing with the U.S. Navy on an F/A-18 Super Hornet and an in-depth fuel study with the Air Force to certify the C-17 Globemaster for use of SAF.
Source: PRNewswire
