Airlines can use 50 per cent biofuel blend: ASTM

ASTM International has revised its specification regarding biojet fuel, allowing airlines to use a 50 per cent blend of hydroprocessed ester-derived biojet fuel, known as Fischer-Tropsch fuel, in their planes immediately. The addition to biojet fuel specification D7566, titled "Standard Specification for Aviation Fuel Containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons," will set the properties for hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids fuel derived from biomass feedstocks such as camelina, jatropha or algae, as well as production control criteria of the fuel.

The decision to amend the jet fuel specification is being welcomed by the Air Transport Association of America, the leading industry trade organization for US airlines, though it will take time for significant volumes of biojet fuel to enter the market. The vice president and chief economist for ATA predicts that 1 billion gallons of biofuel will be in annual production by 2020. This year, the worldwide airline industry will spend $176 billion on conventional jet fuel.

The demand for biofuel is there, according to Honeywell UOP, a company that has played an active role in the development of biofuel, but it will take time for the demand to work its way forward so that raw materials become available and conversion facilities can be built.