Boeing opens Chinese facility to turn cooking oil into aviation fuel

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A demonstration facility has been opened by aeroplane manufacturers Boeing and Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC) that will turn waste cooking oil into aviation fuel.

Typically known as ‘gutter oil’ in China, the companies estimate that 1.8 billion litres of biofuel could be made annually in China from used cooking oil.

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Using a technology developed by Hangzhou Energy & Engineering Technology Co, the facility that is situated in Hangzhou cleans contaminants from the waste oils and converts it into a jet fuel at a rate of 650 litres per day.

The project’s goal is to assess the technical feasibility and cost of producing higher volumes of biofuel.

Boeing China president Ian Thomas said: “Strong and continuing teamwork between Boeing and COMAC is helping our industry make progress on environmental challenges that no single company or country can solve alone.

“By working together for mutual benefit, we’re finding innovative ways to support China’s aviation industry and build a sustainable future.”

Sustainably produced biofuel reduces carbon emissions by 50 to 80  per cent compared to petroleum through its lifecycle.