Virgin announce new green fuel plans
12.10.11
Virgin Atlantic is to develop a low carbon aviation fuel with half the carbon footprint of standard fossil fuel. The airline has announced that it is developing the new fuel with LanzaTech, which is said ‘represents a breakthrough in aviation fuel technology’.
The fuel will use waste gases from industrial steel production that would otherwise be burnt into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. They will be captured, fermented and chemically converted using Swedish Biofuels technology for use as a jet fuel.
LanzaTech estimates that its process can apply to 65% of the world’s steel mills, which means the fuel can be rolled out for worldwide commercial use. It also believes this process can apply to metals processing and chemical industries, growing its potential considerably further.
The airline plans to use the fuel on flights from Shanghai and Delhi to Heathrow within two to three years. A ‘demo’ flight with the new fuel is planned in 12-18 months.
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