BioJet to release 1 billion gallons of jet fuel

Biofuel plants. Photo: Courtesy, Michigan State University.

On the heels of the recent ASTM International Committee on Petroleum Products and Lubricants' approval of bio-derived jet fuel for commercial use, Santa Barbara-based BioJet International announced it will release one billion gallons of renewable jet fuel priced at $2.97 a gallon to airlines to "aid in the development" of biofuel in the commercial aviation market.

"This offer is made possible because BioJet, through its subsidiaries, owns and controls multiple, very large biofuels feedstock projects around the world," the company said. "This unique position provides BioJet with the ability to control its internal allocation of resources for a significant cost control advantage while other companies are subject to severe fluctuations in cost and availability of feedstock."

Under new provisions included in ATSM standard D7566, up to 50% bio-derived synthetic blending components can be added to conventional commercial and military jet or gas turbine fuel. D7566 also includes new, specific requirements for the bio-derived synthetic fuel component such as thermal stability, distillation control and trace material amounts. The specification was provisionally approved in June (ATW Daily News, June 13) and received full approval July 1.

US Air Transport Assn. VP and Chief Economist John Heimlich said US "airlines commend ASTM for this critical and significant step, which brings the airline industry one step closer to meeting our environmental goals of widespread production of cleaner, alternative fuels while enhancing energy supply security and competitiveness."

BioJet in February received a $1.2 billion funding facility from Equity Partners Fund (ATW Daily News, Feb. 15), a sum it calls "the cornerstone" of a $6 billion, 10-year supply chain capital projects program, which will include feedstock, refining projects, investment and strategic acquisitions.

US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last month told ATW that if a market develops for biofuel to power aircraft, the infrastructure to produce and distribute it will quickly build up (ATW's Eco-Aviation Today, June 27).