Amyris renewable jet fuel receives regulatory approval in Brazil

Amyris Inc. welcomed the approval of its renewable jet fuel by Brazil's fuels regulator, ANP, clearing the way for the commercialization in Brazil of the Amyris renewable jet fuel in blends of up to 10 percent.

“Building on the revised ASTM International standard for aviation turbine fuel approved in June, Brazil's ANP last week removed the last regulatory hurdle for the use of our renewable jet fuel in Brazil,” said John Melo, president and CEO of Amyris. “We meet the most rigorous performance requirements in the aviation industry and are now commercializing our product in Brazil as well as around the world.”

“The airline industry continues to experience strong growth and, while current low oil prices may provide a short-lived respite, the impact of carbon pollution is undeniable,” Melo added. “Amyris and its partners are contributing to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions with our renewable fuel. We are pleased that leading airlines, such as Air France, Lufthansa and KLM are, or will soon be, flying with a blend of our renewable jet fuel.”

Study: 90 percent GHG reduction

Environmental Science & Technology, a respected scientific journal, published an evaluation of the carbon footprint of Amyris's farnesane, including various production scenarios and land use. The authors concluded that farnesane produced from Brazilian sugarcane has a net life cycle emission of 8.5 grams CO2eq/MJ. When compared with its fossil equivalent, this would represent a reduction of approximately 90 percent on a life-cycle basis.

“In Brazil, where our renewable jet fuel is produced, air travel has been growing rapidly during the last decade,” Melo said. “Yet Brazil continues to import much of its jet fuel and taxes renewable fuels at rates that sometimes exceed taxes on fossil fuels. At Amyris, we believe our jet fuel represents a great opportunity for Brazil to support local economic development and reduce the country's dependence on imported fuel, all while contributing to reductions in carbon emissions.”