Airbus launches new biofuel project in Romania
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
Airbus, together with a consortium of key stakeholders, has established one of Europe’s first projects aiming to establish a sustainable processing and production of bio-kerosene jet-fuel. The Romanian based project, which is supported by Romanian airline TAROM, is aiming to provide a biofuel made from the camelina plant, as a renewable, sustainable alternative to fossil-based jet fuel. The project is being overseen by a Romania-based NGO and Airbus is acting as the catalyst in getting the Romanian value chain for a local bio-jet fuel solution up and running.
Once feasibility studies on agricultural, technological and aeronautical development and sustainability assessment are complete, the project will also assess the existing refining facilities in order to identify Romania’s production capability. Camelina is the chosen feedstock because of its energy potential, its rotational crop qualities, its greenhouse gas reduction potential and its low water requirements. Camelina is also indigenous to Romania, and can be readily farmed and harvested. It has a high quality animal feed by-product.
“This is the first European based value chain project bringing together farmers, oil-refiners and an airline to spearhead the commercialisation of sustainable bio-fuel production,” said Paul Nash, Airbus Head of New Energies. “The Romanian Camelina Value Chain will help us further verify the sustainability and economic viability of producing bio-kerosene.”
Airbus will support the fuel approval processes, and lead in assessing the effect on the aircraft systems and engines. The consortium will work together with the Bucharest University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine’s Centre of Biotechnology (BIOTEHGEN) on the sustainable agricultural phase of the project regarding the camelina plantations, harvesting and oil production.
TAROM is leading the consortium which includes Honeywell’s UOP, CCE (Camelina Company Espa
Comments are closed.