Brazil approves new Amyris renewable jet fuel

Amyris said Tuesday that it welcomed the approval of its renewable jet fuel by Brazil's fuels regulator, ANP, clearing the way for the commercialization in Brazil of the Amyris renewable jet fuel in blends of up to 10%.

"Building on the revised ASTM International standard for aviation turbine fuel approved in June, Brazil's ANP last week removed the last regulatory hurdle for the use of our renewable jet fuel in Brazil," said John Melo, CEO of Amyris. "We meet the most rigorous performance requirements in the aviation industry and are now commercializing our product in Brazil as well as around the world.

"The airline industry continues to experience strong growth and, while current low oil prices may provide a short-lived respite, the impact of carbon pollution is undeniable," he continued. "Amyris and its partners are contributing to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions with our renewable fuel. We are pleased that leading airlines, such as Air France, Lufthansa and KLM are, or will soon be, flying with a blend of our renewable jet fuel."

Environmental Science & Technology, a respected scientific journal, published an evaluation of the carbon footprint of Amyris's farnesane, including various production scenarios and land use. 

The authors concluded that farnesane produced from Brazilian sugarcane has a net life cycle emission of 8.5 grams CO2eq/MJ. When compared with its fossil equivalent, this would represent a reduction of approximately 90% on a lifecycle basis.

"In Brazil, where our renewable jet fuel is produced, air travel has been growing rapidly during the last decade," said Melo. "Yet Brazil continues to import much of its jet fuel and taxes renewable fuels at rates that sometimes exceed taxes on fossil fuels. 

"At Amyris, we believe our jet fuel represents a great opportunity for Brazil to support local economic development and reduce the country's dependence on imported fuel, all while contributing to reductions in carbon emissions."