The aviation industry took a significant step towards a more sustainable future today, with
The flight was made possible by the BioForming technology invented by Virent and jointly developed for commercialisation by Virent and
Aviation, as one of the contributors to global carbon emissions, is one of the hardest industries to abate. Unlike other flights, which have used a percentage of SAF mixed with conventional jet fuel, the BioForming process enabled this
'This successful
Existing aircraft and fuelling systems require a component in the fuel called 'aromatics', which help prevent the fuel from leaking around seals, among other benefits. SAF does not typically contain any aromatics, but the BioForming process has changed this by converting sustainable plant sugars into a bio-aromatic product, BioForm Synthesized Aromatic Kerosene (SAK). This can be blended with other types of SAF to increase SAF content up to, and including, a drop-in 100% alternative to conventional jet fuel, which is able to meet the accepted international standard for jet fuel (Jet A). SAK also improves lubricity, viscosity and density, and produces a cleaner burning fuel.
'With Virent's plant-based fuels technology, this test flight showed that 100% renewable fuel can meet current specifications and work flawlessly in today's commercial airline engines. Virent will continue to collaborate with future-focused companies, and through this collaboration we can continue to reduce emissions and power a more fuel-efficient airline industry.'
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