“Green avgas” to fuel more of China’s jets

China will use more jet biofuel as it moves to cut pollution by its airline industry.

By 2020, China expects jet biofuel to account for 30% of its total jet fuel consumption. This translates into 12 million metric tons and will cost some US$19 billion.

Jet biofuel, made from renewable resources such as jatropha, emits less carbon than traditional het fuel and is considered to be better for the environment. The use of biofuels can help cut emissions of greenhouse gases by as much as 85% compared to fossil fuels.

Li Jian, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, said jet biofuel will be widely used commercially before 2020. Li said China has the technology needed to make jet biofuels and only needs to produce it more cheaply for commercial sale.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China has a target to reduce emissions of greenhouse gas emissions by 22% in 2020 compared to the levels in 2005.

China Petrochemical Corporation or Sinopec announced this week a successful production of jet biofuel at its chemical plant in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. Sinopec produces over 70% of China’s aviation fuel.

Sinopec's rival, China National Petroleum Corp, the country's biggest oil producer, plans to build a refinery to produce 60,000 tons of jatropha biofuel a year by 2014.