Two of the world’s four biggest commercial aircraft manufacturers, Embraer of Brazil and Boeing of the US, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to set up a joint sustainable aviation biofuels research centre. This will be situated in the Technological Park in the Brazilian city of São José dos Campos, in São Paulo state. São José dos Campos is the home town of Embraer and the main centre for the Brazilian aerospace industry.

The MoU was signed on May 12 and the next step will be a collaboration agreement between the two sides, which will structure the joint project. This will include provision for other companies and institutions to participate in the research centre and its projects. This MoU builds on a partnership created between Embraer, Boeing and São Paulo state’s research and development funding agency, the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, in 2011. This resulted in the launch last year of the Flight Plan for Aviation Biofuels in Brazil: Action Plan.

“Embraer is committed in [sic] supporting the development of sustainable biofuels for aviation and the joint efforts with Boeing will undoubtedly contribute to the company continuing to be in the forefront of research in this area,” affirmed Embraer executive VP: engineer- ing and technology Mauro Kern. “Brazil has tradition in the area of alternative fuels and enormous potential yet to be explored in bio- energy research.”

“Boeing and Embraer have a tremendous opportunity to work together to enhance Brazil’s aviation biofuels capabilities, as well as the global industry’s access to aviation biofuels,” stated Boeing Research and Technology Brazil VP Al Bryant. “Boeing is working aggressively around the world to expand the supply of sustainable aviation biofuels and reduce aviation’s carbon emissions,” highlighted Boeing Commercial Airplanes environmental strategy and integration MD Julie Felgar. “With our joint biofuels research centre, Boeing and Embraer are making a strong commitment towards a successful, sustainable aviation bio- fuels industry in Brazil.”

Brazil is an acknowledged world leader in biofuels, using sugar cane as the feedstock. In aviation, Embraer subsidiary company Neiva produces a version of its Ipanema crop-dusting aircraft that is fuelled entirely by ethanol produced from sugar cane. This was the first aircraft in the world to be certified to fly using only bioethanol as fuel. All Ipanemas are powered by a Lycoming IO-540-K1J5 piston engine, but the ethanol-fueled version generates 14.71 kW more power the conventionally fuelled version. Large scale farmers in Brazil can produce their own fuel for the aircraft.

Regarding jets, in 2012 during the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, an Embraer E195 120-seat air- liner of Brazilian carrier Azul was flown using a 50:50 mix of sugar cane-based biofuels and conventional jet fuel. Brazil is one of a number of countries seeking to develop biofuels that are economical and meet strict aviation standards. The global aerospace industry aims to achieve neutral carbon growth by 2020 and cut carbon dioxide emissions in half by 2050 (in comparison to 2005 levels), while increasing air transport capacity. Currently, aviation is responsible for just 2% of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions.

Embraer has manufactured more than 5 000 aircraft over the past 45 years (it was established in 1969). Its products operate in 80 countries on five continents and it is the world market leader in the segment of commercial jets with up to 120 seats. It employs 19 000 people, of 20 nationalities, around the world.

Boeing is also cooperating with South Africa regarding biofuels. In October 2013, the US group signed an MoU with South African Airways to develop and establish a sustainable biofuels supply chain in Southern Africa. It was Boeing’s first such agreement in Africa. Boeing also has similar agreements with other companies in the US, Australia and China.