Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the
leading U.S. airlines, applauded ASTM International’s final approval and
publication of a new jet fuel specification that will further enable the
use of sustainable alternative fuels in aviation.
“Approval of this new alternative jet fuel pathway brings the airline
industry another step closer to widespread production of cleaner,
alternative fuels that will help meet our environmental goals while
enhancing the security and competitiveness of our energy supply,” said
A4A Vice President, Environmental Affairs Nancy Young.
ASTM International is one of the largest standards-development
organizations in the world. The rigorous ASTM review process was handled
by its Committee on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and
Subcommittee on Aviation Fuel.
Supported by work undertaken by the Commercial Aviation Alternative
Fuels Initiative® (CAAFI), which A4A helped co-found in 2006,
ASTM has approved the addition of a new bio-derived jet fuel annex to
the alternative jet fuel specification D7566. The new annex details the
fuel properties and criteria necessary to control the manufacture and
quality of this new fuel derived from renewable isobutanol, referred to
as “alcohol to jet synthetic paraffinic kerosene” (ATJ-SPK), to ensure
safe aviation use. The new annex provides that ATJ-SPK fuel may be
blended at up to 30 percent (by volume) with conventional jet fuel.
ATJ-SPK is the fourth approved pathway for production of alternative jet
fuels. The other approved alternative fuel pathways are conversion of
triacylglycerides from plant oils and animal processing waste, referred
to as “Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids” or “HEFA,” conversion of a
variety of biomass and fossil fuel feedstocks through the
Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process, and hydroprocessing of fermented sugars to
produce “Synthesized Iso-Paraffinic” (SIP) fuel.
Gevo, Inc. already is preparing to produce alternative jet fuel under
the new specification and is working with Alaska Airlines on the
deployment of the fuel in commercial flight.
“This standard provides another pathway for alternative jet fuel
production, and will enable increased commercial production,” said
Young. “We commend ASTM International, the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration, the airframe and engine manufacturers, the U.S.
military, fuel producers and our entire CAAFI team for continuing to
drive toward commercially viable alternative jet fuels that meet the
rigorous criteria set forth under the jet fuel specification.”
ABOUT A4A
Annually, commercial aviation helps drive nearly $1.5 trillion in U.S.
economic activity and more than 11 million U.S. jobs. Airlines for
America (A4A) vigorously advocates on behalf of the American airline
industry as a model of safety, customer service and environmental
responsibility and as the indispensable network that drives our nation’s
economy and global competitiveness.
America needs a cohesive National Airline Policy that will support the
integral role the nation’s airlines play in connecting people and goods
globally, spur the nation’s economic growth and create more high-paying
jobs. A4A works collaboratively with the airlines, labor groups,
Congress and the Administration to improve air travel for everyone.
For more information about the airline industry, visit our website airlines.org
and our blog, A Better Flight Plan, at airlines.org/blog.
Follow
us on Twitter: @airlinesdotorg.
Like
us on Facebook: facebook.com/AirlinesforAmerica.
Join
us on Instagram: instagram.com/AirlinesforAmerica.
To
learn how you can support a National Airline Policy, a better flight
plan for everyone, visit www.nationalairlinepolicy.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160415005830/en/
Copyright Business Wire 2016
Source: Business Wire
(April 15, 2016 - 2:00 PM EDT)
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