Embraer, General Electric, Azul, and Amyris announce renewable jet fuel evaluation project
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Companies expect to perform a demo flight by 2012
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 18, 2009 – Embraer, General Electric, and Amyris
announced the signing, today, of a Memorandum of Understanding to evaluate the
technical and sustainability aspects of Amyris’ No CompromiseTM renewable jet fuel. The
initiative can culminate in a demo flight, by early 2012, of an Embraer E-Jet using GE
engines and belonging to Azul Linhas Aéreas.
This collaboration combines industry leadership in airframe and engine manufacturing, a
new and committed airline, and next-generation jet fuel development and production. The
goal is to accelerate the introduction of a renewable jet fuel that could significantly lower
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and provide a long-term sustainable alternative to
petroleum-derived jet fuel.
“Greening the skies is a rather complex subject and requires broad industry expertise and
commitment,” says Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President & CEO. “The partnership
with top-level players will certainly represent an important step towards this endeavor.”
Amyris’ renewable jet fuel is a promising alternative to the conventional petroleum-derived
jet fuel. It is made from existing sugar cane feedstock, and is positioned to bring supply
security, renewable content, price stability, and significant reductions in GHG emissions to
the jet fuel pool. “This is a great innovating step by the airline industry in the fight against
global warming,” says David Neeleman, Chairman of the Brazilian airline Azul.
The new fuel has already undergone previous testing conducted by the US Air Force Research
Laboratory, Southwest Research Institute, GE Aviation, and other industry participants.
“GE is committed to develop and produce the most fuel efficient and environmentally
friendly jet engines for the airlines, worldwide,” says Chuck Nugent, General Manager of GE
Aviation Small Commercial Engines. “However, much additional work is required in other
areas, in order to achieve greener skies. This partnership reinforces GE’s commitment.”
The Brazilian government (via Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos – FINEP) is already
contributing funding to Amyris’ renewable jet fuel development program. Brazil has the
world’s largest crop of sugar cane and associated expertise in ethanol production, which
constitutes important leverage for developing Amyris renewable jet fuel.
Amyris produces its renewable fuel using the emerging science of synthetic biology. By
altering the metabolic pathways of microorganisms, such as yeast, Amyris is able to
engineer “living factories” that transform sugar into a range of renewable products, including
diesel fuel, jet fuel, and performance chemicals.
“This is a landmark project for air travel,” said Amyris CEO John Melo. “It demonstrates that a
united industry can usher in an era of cleaner air travel, while using sustainable resources.”
Source: EMBRAER
