Boeing Corporation

Boeing Corporation is backing efforts to find a sustainable solution to aviation biofuels?.

It has published its perspectives on biofuels and funded research into aviation biofuels.

Boeing says that it is unlikely that the demand for alternative fuels will be met by a single biofuel plant source, which makes a portfolio of solutions the best approach. The corporation says examples of promising plant sources that meet the criteria for sustainability include algae, halophytes and other saline grasses?, jatropha, and non-food cellulose?.

It is supportive of biofuels for the following reasons:

• Sustainable biofuels represent a major opportunity for reducing global aviation greenhouse gas emissions?. And fuel is one of the largest costs for airlines and their passengers.
• New processing methods could create sustainable biofuels that perform better than petroleum-based fuels?.
• Global aviation is uniquely positioned to pioneer sustainable biofuels. Compared to hundreds of millions of cars worldwide and the vast infrastructure serving them, commercial aviation? is comprised of fewer than 20,000 aircraft and only a few hundred airport fueling stations. Commercial aviation's smaller scale and less complex infrastructure put it in a position to make big changes that make a real difference to the global environment and local economies.

Boeing is taking the following steps to advance sustainable biofuels:

• Evaluation of potential plant sources and processing methods to develop fuels that meet performance requirements for current and future airplanes.
• Developing viable supply models for using sustainable biofuels in aircraft fleets.
• Collaborating with airlines?, engine companies? and aviation fuel suppliers? to demonstrate and certify the technical capabilities of sustainable biofuels.
• Engaging policymakers and organizations to advance the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of sustainable biofuels.