Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tech & Science

Quebec-based Agrisoma and Qantas Airlines sign bio jet fuel deal

In October, a consortium that included Quebec, Canada-based Agrisoma Biosciences Inc. received a $15 million grant to further research into the use of Brassica carinata as a source of jet biofuel.

Seed funding
Carinata is a non-edible oilseed member of the mustard family that can be grown on the fallow ground in winter without interfering with food production. The October grant will be used to identify and deploy regionally adapted carinata as the basis of a biofuel and bioproduct supply chain that will produce biobased jet fuel for civil and military aviation, industrial chemicals and animal feed in Florida.

Boeing 737-800 (VH-XZP) retrojet seen at Sydney Airport (November 2014).

Boeing 737-800 (VH-XZP) retrojet seen at Sydney Airport (November 2014).
Damien Aiello


Based on a new “farm to flight” deal between Quebec-based Agrisoma Biosciences Inc., and Qantas Airlines, the partnership will work with Australian farmers to grow the Carinata seeds with the goal of producing an aviation biofuel supply in Australia.

A new first in flight
In a news release, Qantas International CEO, Alison Webster said the historic flight and the partnership mark the first step in developing an aviation biofuel supply in Australia.

“We are constantly looking for ways to reduce carbon emissions across our operations but when it comes to using renewable jet fuel, until now, there has not been a locally grown option at the scale we need to power our fleet,” Webster said.

A field of carinata in Quincey  Florida.

A field of carinata in Quincey, Florida.
Agrisoma


“Our long-term goal with this partnership is to grow the crop at a target of 400,000 hectares which will ultimately produce more than 200 million liters of bio jet fuel for the airline, says Steven Fabijanski, Agrisoma’s Ph.D. president and CEO. Renewable jet fuel is chemically equivalent to and meets the same safety and performance standards as conventional jet fuel.

Avatar photo
Written By

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend Karen Graham, who served as Editor-at-Large at Digital Journal. She was 78 years old. Karen's view of what is happening in our world was colored by her love of history and how the past influences events taking place today. Her belief in humankind's part in the care of the planet and our environment has led her to focus on the need for action in dealing with climate change. It was said by Geoffrey C. Ward, "Journalism is merely history's first draft." Everyone who writes about what is happening today is indeed, writing a small part of our history.

You may also like:

World

The coin's design includes the psychedelic 'magic piano' featured in the 1967 Magical Mystery Tour film - Copyright Royal Mint/AFP -There are few accolades...

Business

Can anyone remember the world before AI tools? Since the fateful launch of ChatGPT in November of 2022, the world has forever changed.

Business

US President-elect Donald Trump said Elon Musk would lead an efficiency drive under his new administration. — © AFP/File Kena BetancurThe Department of Government...

World

The Bahamas on Thursday said it had rejected a proposal from the incoming Trump administration to take in deported migrants.