FAA pushes for biojet development with $7.7m grant

Eight firms working to commercialise biojet fuel will receive a total $7.7 million (€5.8 million) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The chosen eight companies will aid the FAA in developing alternative, sustainable 'drop-in' fuels that require no modifications of existing aircraft engines or fuelling equipment.

Feedstocks used to produce this renewable jet fuel include alcohols, sugars, biomass and organic materials. The contracts will also require the companies to test for renewable fuel quality control, conduct research into how the renewable fuel impacts jet engines over time and educate fuel users about sustainability issues.

Honeywell UOP has been awarded a $1.1 million contract to convert biofuel and renewable chemicals company Gevo's isobutanol into jet fuel. Under the contract, UOP will provide the US government with 100 gallons of this renewable aviation fuel by 2012.

In addition to UOP, other companies to receive grants from FFA include LanzaTech ($3 million), Virent Energy Systems ($1.5 million), Velocys ($1.5 million), Honeywell Aerospace ($280,000), Metron Aviation ($250,000), Futurepast ($50,000) and Life Cycle Associates ($25,000).