Airbus Group signs MOU with Emerging Fuels Technology

Airbus Group, a global aeronautics and space company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Emerging Fuels Technology (EFT), a technology company focused on the development and implementation of methods for producing synthetic fuels and specialty products from a variety of carbonaceous feedstock, to promote the commercialisation of technologies to produce sustainable fuels for aviation.

Fairmount Companies, an investment management firm, played a key role in establishing the MOU which initially brought together the corporate leaders of Airbus Group with those of EFT.

In addition to the MOU with Airbus Group, EFT recently signed a broad Cooperation Agreement with Black & Veatch (B&V), a specialist in the engineering, procurement and construction of energy infrastructures. Under this agreement, B&V will offer its clients the benefit of a technology "wrap" providing a range of performance guarantees, in addition to traditional cost and schedule guarantees for projects incorporating EFT's technologies into sustainable fuels facilities.

Airbus Group is a driving force in a global effort to establish a sustainable fuel supply roadmap through an ambitious programme connecting farmers, refiners and airlines to form regional sustainable aviation fuel value chains. This effort seeks to establish local value chains throughout the world to support airlines' ability to refuel aircraft throughout the region.

In Europe, Airbus Group and other stakeholders are progressing in their work with the European Commission to develop the European Advanced Biofuels Flightpath initiative – a European roadmap for the implementation of sustainable aviation fuels.

Airbus Group's 2014 launch of a sustainable aviation fuels roadmap has led to collaborative projects with airline partners. It has also led to approval of 50% blends of biomass-to-liquid (BTL) and hydro-processed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) fuels on commercial flights. Through May 2014, more than 1,500 commercial flights have been flown with alternative fuels worldwide.