Virgin Atlantic Airways today announced a new partnership with LanzaTech to develop a world-first low carbon aviation fuel with half the carbon footprint of the standard fossil-based jet fuel.

The breakthrough in aviation fuel technology will capture, ferment and chemically convert waste gases from industrial steel production for use as an alternative jet fuel. The revolutionary fuel production process recycles waste gases that would otherwise enter the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. 

Within two to three years Virgin Atlantic will use the new fuel on its routes from Shanghai and Delhi to London Heathrow as LanzaTech and partners develop facilities in China and India. The technology is currently being piloted in New Zealand, a larger demonstration facility will be commissioned in Shanghai this year, and the first commercial operation will be in place in China by 2014. Following successful implementation, a wider roll-out could include operations in the UK and the rest of the world.

LanzaTech estimates that its process can could be applied to 65 % of the world’s steel mills, allowing the fuel to be rolled out for worldwide commercial use. The energy company believes that this process can also apply to metals processing and chemical industries, growing its potential and production significantly.

via: prnewswire