AVIATION BIOFUELSUSTAINABLEAVIATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT150 Percent Lower by 2050The aviation industry is committed to achievingcarbon-neutral growth by 2020 and aims toreduce carbon levels by 50 percent by 2050relative to 2005. Boeing is contributing to thisgoal by investing in technology to improve theenvironmental performance of aircraft, providingservices to improve fl ight operations, andsupporting development and use of sustainableaviation biofuel to decrease carbon emissions.Today’s aircraft are 70 percent more effi cientthan models built 50 years ago. The 787Dreamliner exemplifi es this with its lighter weightand improved fuel effi ciency. Boeing’s RequiredNavigation Performance services also helpreduce carbon emissions.Positive Socioeconomic ImpactA sustainable aviation fuel meets or exceeds jetfuel standards, produces lower carbonemissions over its lifecycle - production throughuse, does not displace food crops, and createsa positive socioeconomic impact where feedstocks are grown. To be deemed sustainable abiofuel will need to be certifi ed as sustainable.The certifi cation process considers items suchas social and economic factors and land, water,and energy use.As a global business, aviation needs aharmonized global standard to ensure thatsustainability criteria are enforceable and equallyapplied across the industry. A patchwork ofstandards would inhibit the effectivedevelopment of a sustainable biofuel market.CARBON-NEUTRAL GROWTHSUSTAINABLE AVIATION BIOFUEL2Biofuel – The Practical AlternativeSustainable aviation biofuel is essential tomeeting the industry’s carbon-neutral growthobjective by 2020, because unlike groundtransportation which has practical alternativessuch as batteries, aviation can only use liquidfuels. Commercializing sustainable aviationbiofuel will reduce emissions, grow local andregional economies, and improve domesticenergy security.Parity with Other Energy SourcesGovernment is uniquely positioned to help thisimportant emerging market. Legislators andregulators can support the development of feedstocks and fuel production through acomprehensive Farm-to-Fly policy program.They can level the playing fi eld so there is parityfor sustainable aviation biofuel with other energysources across U.S. agricultural, energy, and taxpolicies. Emerging global sustainabilitystandards should be incorporated into biofuelrelated policies and legislationWILL HELP GROW LOCAL ECONOMIESA NATIONAL FARM-TO-FLY POLICY34WITH NO NEW INFRASTRUCTUREREDUCED CARBON FOOTPRINTBiofuel: A Drop-In FuelAviation biofuel is a “drop-in” fuel because itmeets or exceeds the appropriate jet fuelspecifi cations. Drop-in fuels have the advantageof not requiring any changes to aircraft enginefuel systems, distribution methods, or storagefacilities. Boeing led the process for gainingapproval for bio-derived synthetic paraffi nickerosene (Bio-SPK) jet fuel. Boeing supportsdrop-in aviation biofuels because they are thepractical solution: no new infrastructure oradditional handling costs.A series of test fl ights in 2008 and 2009demonstrated the technical viability of aviationbiofuel. The participants were Virgin Atlantic, AirNew Zealand, Continental Airlines, and JapanAirlines in cooperation with Boeing, CFM, UOP,Pratt & Whitney, and GE.An Elegant SolutionAviation biofuel presents an elegant solution toreducing carbon dioxide emissions. Ideally itpresents an almost closed-loop system. Plantsand algae absorb atmospheric carbon dioxideduring photosynthesis and separate the carbonand oxygen for use in growth and metabolism.The biomass is harvested and sent to a biofuelrefi nery where it is processed into aviationbiofuel and other products. The resulting fuelmeets or exceeds the requirements for jet fuel. Ajet engine operating solely on sustainableaviation biofuel releases only the carbonabsorbed by the feedstock plants, resulting inbetter life cycle environmental performance.560,795 Tonnes Less Carbon DioxideA 747-8 fueled with a 50 percent blend ofsustainable aviation biofuel fl ying 470 trips peryear, London to Singapore, releases 60,795tonnes less CO2 than if it were using onlyconventional petroleum fuel. This assumes a 70percent credit for biofuel and European longrange operating cost rules.6AlgaeAlgae are simple photosynthetic organisms,some capable of producing 30 times more oilper acre than current feedstock crops. However,commercialization for aviation biofuel may takeseveral years. Boeing helped form the AlgalBiomass Organization in 2008 to advocate andcommercialize algal biofuels.JatrophaJatropha is a nonedible plant resistant todrought and produces seeds with 27 to 40percent oil content. The plant grows well onnon-arable land and can potentially fi ghtdesertifi cation in arid regions. When grownsustainably it can add economic value todeveloping economies. Commercial suppliesshould be available in two to three years.HalophytesThese plants grow naturally in saline habitats.One variety, Salicornia, has seeds with an oilcontent near 30 percent. These plants can befed with waste from seafood farms as part of aprogram to reduce the farms’ environmentalimpact. Commercial viability is expected in threeto four years.CamelinaThis conventionally farmed annual plant tolerateslow rainfall, low nitrogen, and cold and issuitable for growing on marginal agriculturallands. It is often used as a rotational crop torestore and stabilize soil. Commercial levels offeedstocks are available today.NEXT GENERATION ALTERNATIVESCANDIDATE FEEDSTOCK EXAMPLES789Refining for Minimal Environmental ImpactBoeing is encouraging refi ners to produce adrop-in aviation fuel using processes thatminimize environmental impact, supportsustainability, are economically viable, and meetlocal and regional needs.Hydroprocessing of Bio-Derived Oil andFatsUsing advanced hydroprocessing methods,bio-derived oils and fats can be converted intothe same molecules contained in jet fuel, whichis produced using traditional petroleum-basedfeedstocks.Hydroprocessing offers great potential to reducegreenhouse gas emissions of jet fuel productionbecause of the ability of plants, algae, and otherbiological sources to convert atmosphericcarbon dioxide to bio-derived oils and fats.CHOICE FOR CARBON-NEUTRALITYHYDROPROCESSING IS A GOODBoeing views this process as one of the mostpromising options for approaching carbonneutralityConversion of Biomass to Jet Fuel Utilizingthe Fischer-Tropsch ReactionConverting biomass to biojet fuel can also bedone using the Fischer-Tropsch process.Biomass is converted to synthesis gas, amixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Thesynthesis gas is then converted to hydrocarbonsby the Fischer-Tropsch reaction. Finally, theproducts of this reaction undergo additionalhydroprocessing to produce the samemolecules found in petroleum-based jet fuel.The extra steps (producing the synthesis gasand the Fischer-Tropsch reaction) add cost andcomplexity and require more energy than thehydroprocessing of bio-derived oils and fats.Conversion of Alcohols to Jet FuelAlcohols such as methanol and ethanol can beconverted to a jet fuel by using chemicalprocesses such as dehydration, polymerization,and hydroprocessing. The research inconverting alcohols to jet fuel is in the earlystages. A few challenges going forward with thisprocess are: use of non-food sources toproduce the alcohol, conversion effi ciency andcost.10300,000 Barrels of Jet Fuel per DayThe US Department of Defense is the largestsingle user of jet fuel in the United States.Replacing part or all of this petroleum fuel withbiofuel presents a great opportunity for reducingcarbon dioxide emissions and improving energysecurity.11Use of Biofuel Reduces Oil ImportsAdoption of biofuel lowers life cycle greenhousegas emissions, helps increase a country’senergy self-suffi ciency, and reduces pricevolatility. Biofuel feedstocks are a regionalsource of alternative energy and can signifi cantlydecrease oil imports. Boeing is working withdefense agencies in the United States, Europe,and Australia to advance the integration ofbiofuel into military fl ight operations. We arehelping defense agencies research, test, andcertify biofuel, as well as integrate biofuel intothe aviation fuel infrastructure.Boeing is working with U.S. defense agencieson testing and gaining approval for biofuel onthe F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-15 Eagle, and C-17Globemaster. These are the fi rst steps leading tothe Navy and the Air Force meeting a signifi cantamount of their fuel needs from renewablesources by 2016.A Royal Netherlands Air Force Boeing AH-64DApache became the fi rst rotorcraft in the worldto fl y using a blend of sustainable bio-keroseneand standard aviation jet fuel on June 16, 2010.U.S. NAVY’S FIRST FLIGHT OF A BOEING F/A-18 SUPER HORNETIMPROVED ENERGY SECURITYLOWER CARBON EMISSIONS12Sustainable Biofuels Research ProjectsBoeing is involved in a number of joint biofueland life cycle assessment research projectsworldwide. One study is the SustainableBioenergy Research Project with the MasdarInstitute of Science and Technology, EtihadAirways, and UOP – A Honeywell Company. Thegoal is to perfect sustainable, integratedseafood farming.Waste water from seafood farming, which mightotherwise pollute waterways, is used to fertilizesaltwater plants like halophyte grasses andmangroves. The plants are harvested andconverted to biofuel. The results of this projectwill help reduce the environmental impact ofseafood farming, increase biodiversity, andgenerate sustainable aviation biofuel.Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users GroupBoeing is one of the founding members ofSAFUG, which is committed to creating acarbon-neutral future for aviation by advancingthe development and commercialization ofsustainable aviation biofuel. Boeing works withSAFUG members on regional issues and helpscoordinate the body’s global activities. Additionalinformation about SAFUG and its activities maybe found at www.safug.org.Sustainable Aviation Fuels NorthwestBoeing is working with Alaskan Airlines, theSpokane International Airport, Washington StateUniversity, and the Ports of Seattle and Portlandon developing a comprehensive regionalassessment regarding creating viable markets inthe Pacifi c Northwest for sustainable aviationbiofuel.ACCELERATING ADOPTIONINVESTING IN RESEARCHThe statements contained herein are based on good faithassumptions and provided for general information purposesonly. These statements do not constitute an offer, promise,warranty or guarantee of performance. Actual results mayvary depending on certain events or conditions. Thisdocument should not be used or relied upon for anypurpose other than that intended by Boeing.Boeing Commercial AirplanesEnvironmental StrategyP.O. Box 3707Seattle, WA 98124-2207For more information visit:www.newairplane.com/environmentBOEING is a trademark of Boeing Management Company.Copyright © 2010 Boeing. All rights reserved.PRINTED IN THE USAEN-000105 05/10