Japanese duo developing aviation biodiesel from algae

Isuzu Motors and Euglena will team up to develop a new kind of biodiesel using algae.

The companies are looking to develop a type of fuel that can be used on its own unlike existing kinds that need to be mixed with light oil.

‘As long as we use light oil for diesel engines, emissions of carbon dioxide are inevitable,’ says Susumu Hosoi, president of Japanese truck producer Isuzu. ‘It is important to diversify types of fuel.’

Japanese biotech company Euglena has been developing jet fuel from algae with airline operator ANA Holdings.

The duo expect the technology to be ready by 2018.