Boeing and Alder Fuels have announced a new partnership to expand production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

Using Boeing aircraft, the companies will test and qualify Alder-derived SAF; advance policies to expedite the transition to renewable energy in aviation; and grow the amount of SAF for the global aerospace market. 

Washington DC-based Alder Fuels’ proprietary technology converts sustainable forest residues and regenerative biomass into a low-negative carbon “greencrude” for jet fuel conversion. The Alder product is suitable for conversion into drop-in SAF, meaning it can be produced by existing refineries with their current equipment and infrastructure. Alder expects completion of its first plant in 2024.

“As we work toward the civil aviation industry’s commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, we know that 700-1,000 times more SAF is needed in order to meet this goal,” Boeing VP-environmental sustainability Sheila Remes said when the partnership was announced July 19 at the Farnborough Airshow. “We also know that according to the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. forestry and agricultural residues alone could provide enough biomass energy to generate enough SAF jet fuel to displace 75% of U.S. aviation fuel consumption. Partnerships like those with Alder enable us all to advocate for and scale SAF supply.”