The fuel standards body, ASTM International, has approved a new alternative aviation fuel.
This new fuel is created from isobutanol, which is derived from renewable feedstocks including sugar, forest waste and corn. This addition to the fuel family will be known as alcohol to jet synthetic paraffinic kerosene, or ATJ-SPK. At present there is only one manufacturer of this fuel, a company named Gevo, which is headquartered in Colorado. A blend of 30% with standard fuel has been sanctioned.
Alaska Airlines is now to work with the FAA to schedule the first flight using this new fuel mixture. It is thought that by using this combination, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by up to 85% compared to fossil fuels when used on a lifecycle basis.
