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“Green diesel” a sustainable jet fuel: Boeing

Jan. 14, 2014, Seattle, Wa. – Boeing has identified "green diesel," a
renewable fuel used in ground transportation, as a significant new
source of sustainable aviation biofuel that emits at least 50 percent
less carbon dioxide than fossil fuel over its lifecycle. The company is
working with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and other
stakeholders to gain approval for aircraft to fly on green diesel,
further reducing the aviation industry's carbon emissions.

Boeing researchers performed analysis that found green diesel, which is
made from oils and fats, to be chemically similar to today's aviation
biofuel. If approved, the fuel could be blended directly with
traditional jet fuel.

"Green diesel approval would be a major breakthrough in the availability
of competitively priced, sustainable aviation fuel," said Dr. James
Kinder, a Technical Fellow in Boeing Commercial Airplanes Propulsion
Systems Division. "We are collaborating with our industry partners and
the aviation community to move this innovative solution forward and
reduce the industry's reliance on fossil fuel."

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

Boeing, the FAA, engine manufacturers, green diesel producers and others
are now compiling a detailed research report that will be submitted to
key stakeholders in the fuel approvals process. These efforts follow
Boeing's 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. Biofuel approved for aviation must meet or
exceed stringent jet fuel performance requirements.

"Boeing wants to establish new pathways for sustainable jet fuel, and
this green diesel initiative is a groundbreaking step in that long
journey," said Julie Felgar, managing director of Boeing Commercial
Airplanes Environmental Strategy and Integration. "To support our
customers, industry and communities, Boeing will continue to look for
opportunities to reduce aviation's environmental footprint."

Green diesel, also called "renewable diesel," can be used in any diesel
engine. It is chemically different and a different product than the fuel
known as "biodiesel."