Research into renewable jet fuels developed from sugarcane sponsored by Boeing, Embraer and the IDB

Posted by John McHale
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, 27 July 2011 Leaders at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Boeing (NYSE: BA), and Embraer (NYSE: ERJ; BM&FBOVESPA: EMBR3), have joined hands to fund a sustainability analysis for producing renewable jet fuel sourced from Brazilian sugarcane. The study and research will analyze environmental and market conditions related to the use of renewable jet fuel produced by Amyris (NASDAQ: AMRS). Officials at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) will provide independent advice and reviews.
"Emerging renewable jet fuel technologies have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly, as sugarcane ethanol in Brazil has already proven," says Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho, leader of the IDB Sustainable Aviation Biofuels Initiative. "This study will examine the overall potential for sustainable, large-scale production of alternative jet fuels made from sugarcane."
IDB officials announced last month the creation of a regional cooperation grant that helps public and private institutions develop a sustainable biojet fuels industry. The Amyris study is the first to be financed under that grant. The study will be led by ICONE, a research think-tank in Brazil with expertise in agriculture and biofuels analysis, and independently reviewed by the WWF. The study, which is expected to be completed by next year, will include a lifecycle analysis of the emissions associated with Amyris's renewable jet fuel, including indirect land use change and effects.
The study also will cover benchmarking of cane-derived renewable jet fuel against major sustainability standards, including the Bonsucro, the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels, and the IDB Biofuel Scorecard.
"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 Brazil," says Billy Glover, Boeing vice president of environment and aviation policy. "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."