Boeing has teamed up with Aeromexico and Mexico’s Airports and Auxiliary Services (ASA) to research and develop sustainable biofuel in Mexico.

The initiative will be coordinated through the Mexican Bioenergy Innovation Center. Mexico’s government and participating institutes will be funding the efforts for four years, with the aim of developing a sustainable business model. It will research biomass sourcing, fuel production, sustainability and lifecycle assessment, and aviation biofuel market development. The aviation biofuel feedstocks are predicted to include jatropha, salt-tolerant Salicornia and sewage sludge.

Aeromexico chief of people and industries affairs officer, Sergio Allard says: “In Aeromexico, we recognise that conducting a sustainable operation is an everyday commitment. We are ready to assume the challenge and break the myth that you cannot be socially and environmentally responsible and competitive at the same time.”

Boeing International president, Marc Allen says: “Sustainable jet fuel will play a critical role in reducing aviation’s carbon emissions and will bring a new innovative industry to Mexico.”

ASA business units coordinator, Jorge Nevarez Jacobo says: “In Airports and Auxiliary Services, we are keen to play an active role in implementing this biofuel project, contributing our experience to ensure that the results of this initiative are suitable at Mexico’s airports.”