(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Abu Dhabi's Masdar, Takreer and Etihad Airways have launched an initiative in collaboration with Total and Boeing to develop biofuel from agriculture waste, date palm leaves and other plants.
The venture partners include Abu Dhabi's oil refining company Takreer, French oil giant Total, Etihad Airways and plane maker Boeing Co. a part from Masdar institute of Science and Technology.
The initiative named "BIOjet Abu Dhabi: Flight Path to Sustainability" will look at the possibilities to use agriculture waste, date palm leave, and plants tolerant to salt water that can be grown on coastal areas of the UAE.
The project would support a sustainable aviation biofuel industry in the country.
BIOjet Abu Dhabi will engage a broad range of stakeholders to develop a comprehensive framework for a UAE biofuel supply chain, including research and development and expanded investment in feedstock production and refining capability in the UAE and globally.
The project was unveiled a day after Etihad Airways conducted a demonstration flight with a Boeing 777 powered in part by the first UAE-produced biokerosene from an innovative plant biomass-processing technology.
The biofuel was partially converted from biomass by Total and its partner Amyris.
Etihad Airways is supporting the development of lower-carbon renewable fuels.
Etihad Airways chief operating officer Richard Hill hoped the fuel will be commercially available in five years.
The Masdar Institute's Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium, funded by Etihad Airways and Boeing, is currently researching and developing salt-tolerant plants that would be raw material for the same refining processes to produce renewable fuel.
"BIOjet Abu Dhabi: Flight Path to Sustainability" is aligned with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which seeks to develop sustainable energy sources to diversify the UAE economy and increase workforce opportunities for Emiratis.
Jeffrey Johnson, president of Boeing Middle East, said: "With further commitment and investment, the UAE, a global leader in commercial aviation, is well-positioned to lead efforts to make our industry more sustainable."
Jasem Ali Al Sayegh, chief executive officer of Takreer, said: "We support the concept of using biofuel as a sustainable aviation fuel for a cleaner future in line with Adnoc's sustainability policy.''
A member of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group, Etihad Airways operated the Gulf region's first biofuel flight in January 2011 with a Boeing 777 delivery from Seattle to Abu Dhabi powered by a blend of petroleum-based and certified plant oil-based jet fuel.
Takreer, a wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (Adnoc), did the final aviation biofuel distillation, adding the UAE to a handful of countries that have produced and flown on their own biokerosene.
Abu Dhabi and Ruwais Refineries has a capacity of 490,000bpd and produce over 23 million tonnes per year of products for the local and export markets.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.