Airbus to study eucalyptus trees as feedstock for aviation fuels

21 March 2012 18:34  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS)--Airbus has joined a consortium of firms to study eucalyptus mallee trees from Australia as a feedstock for low-emission aviation fuels, the European aircraft manufacturer said on Wednesday.

Airbus said eucalyptus mallee trees could be converted to a feedstock for refining into aviation fuel, using a pyrolysis thermal process.

The consortium, which includes airline Virgin Australia, aims to have a pilot plant for the alternative fuel in operation in Australia next year, Airbus added.

“Alternative fuels are a crucial part of the roadmap for sustainable aviation and to help meet our ambitious CO2 [carbon dioxide] reduction targets,” said Airbus CEO Tom Enders.

Airbus’s announcement comes as the EU plans to include aviation in its Emissions Trading System (ETS), thus forcing airlines to buy emission permits. The move has prompted strong criticism from countries outside the EU, whose airline sectors would be affected.

Check out Doris de Guzman’s Green Chemicals Blog for views on sustainability issues

By: Stefan Baumgarten
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