Boeing and Embraer open joint research centre to aid sustainable aviation fuels development in Brazil
Embraer and GE conducted a series of test flights in 2011 powered by HEFA-based biofuels
Thu 15 Jan 2015 – Following a collaboration agreement signed last year to jointly conduct and co-fund research into establishing an aviation biofuels industry in Brazil, Boeing and Embraer have opened a research centre in São José dos Campos. At the centre, the companies will coordinate and co-fund research with Brazilian universities and other institutions. This will focus on technologies that address gaps in creating a viable industry, such as feedstock production, techno-economic analysis, economic viability studies and processing technologies. Boeing’s efforts in the project is led by Boeing Research & Technology-Brazil, one of six international advanced research centres. Embraer has been involved in several aviation biofuel initiatives, including test flights of an E-170 conducted with engine manufacturer GE under a broad range of conditions.
“Boeing and Embraer are partnering in an unprecedented way to make more progress on sustainable aviation biofuel than one company can do alone,” said Donna Hrinak, President of Boeing Brazil and Latin America. “Brazil, a pioneer in the sustainable fuels industry, will play a leading role in establishing the biofuels industry and helping meet aviation’s environmental goals.”
Added Mauro Kern, EVP Engineering and Technology for Embraer: “Our purpose is to support work on developing and maturing the knowledge and technologies needed to establish a sustainable aviation biofuel industry in Brazil with global reach.”
Between 2012 and 2013, the two aircraft manufacturers and other Brazilian partners held a series of workshops which resulted in a detailed roadmap being published in 2014. Boeing and Embraer have committed to sharing intellectual property developed by the new Boeing-Embraer Joint Research Center, which is situated in the Technology Park of Embraer’s home city.
