Innovative Breakthrough in SAF Technology by Virent and Johnson Matthey: The Bio-aromatics Behind the First-ever 100% SAF Trans-Atlantic Flight by a Commercial Airline, Operated by Virgin Atlantic
London, United Kingdom, 29 November 2023 – The success of the first-ever 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) trans-Atlantic flight by a commercial airline, operated by Virgin Atlantic, signifies a new era in SAF technology. This step towards eco-friendly air travel was made possible thanks to an innovative process, BioForming® Sugar to Aromatics (S2A). The technology was originally invented by Virent and jointly developed for commercialisation by Virent and Johnson Matthey. The process marks a significant move towards decarbonising the aviation sector and a breakthrough in SAF.
Aviation carbon emissions are among the most difficult to abate. In recent times, low percentages of SAF have been used to power aircraft, when mixed with conventional jet fuel. However, powered entirely by SAF, the Virgin Atlantic trans-Atlantic flight is a testament to the potential that sustainable fuels offer in revolutionising the aviation industry, and the importance of continued developments in the chemicals industry.
The cornerstone of this historic flight, conducted by an unmodified airplane in current service, is the development of bio-based aromatics that enhance SAF blending and enable 100% SAF to be used in existing aircraft and fuelling system infrastructure. In line with international jet fuel standards (Jet A), synthetic jet fuel requires 8-25% aromatic content to help prevent fuel leakage, increase lubricity, and ensure proper fuel system performance. Up until now this has been achieved by blending SAF with conventional fuel. However, the BioForming® process has changed this by converting sustainable plant sugars into a bio-aromatic product, BioForm® Synthesized Aromatic Kerosene (SAK).
SAK supplies the necessary aromatics for jet fuel and can be blended with a range of other SAF, accelerating the shift from conventional fuel to sustainable alternatives compatible with existing aviation technology. The various demonstration flights using BioForm® SAK have also shown that SAK can be a ‘normaliser’ to ensure different SAF blendstocks can be brought within specification and meet aviation performance criteria.
Maurits van Tol, Chief Executive of Catalyst Technologies at Johnson Matthey, said: "BioForming® technology is a crucial element to decarbonise air travel. The success of the Virgin Atlantic flight is a huge step forward and heralds the need for rapid expansion of SAF production. Johnson Matthey has worked with Virent, to further develop and optimise the process and catalysts that underpin the BioForming® S2A technology.”
Virent President and General Counsel, Dave Kettner, added: “Virgin Atlantic’s historic transatlantic flight further demonstrates the opportunity to move the aviation industry further towards carbon neutrality and its objective of reducing emissions. We have specifically designed the BioForming S2A technology to produce an aromatic jet fuel component that not only helps meet current jet fuel specifications, but also helps provide a cleaner burning and more efficient jet fuel free of naphthalenes, thereby reducing particulate matter emissions.”
BioForm® SAK provides the aromatics needed in the jet fuel used for current aircraft and infrastructure without the need for any overhaul or modification. This means that sustainable aviation fuel can be completely ‘drop-in’. It presents a pivotal moment in the aviation industry's journey towards decarbonisation and sustainability.
For more information on the BioForming® technology, please visit matthey.com/bioforming-saf and virent.com/technology/bioforming/. For more information about Johnson Matthey's sustainability initiatives, please visit matthey.com/sustainability.
Johnson Matthey:
Email: jmpr@matthey.com
Telephone: +44 207 269 8001
Virent:
Email: shelly_norris@virent.com
Telephone: +1 608-630-1938
Johnson Matthey is a global leader in sustainable technologies. For over 200 years we've used advanced metals chemistry to tackle the world's biggest challenges.
Many of the world's leading energy, chemicals and automotive companies depend on our technology and expertise to decarbonise, reduce harmful emissions and improve their sustainability.
And now, as the world faces the challenges of climate change, energy supply, and resource scarcity, we're actively providing solutions for our customers. Through inspiring science and continued innovation, we're catalysing the net zero transition for millions of people every day.
Virent is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation, an integrated refining, marketing and midstream logistics company. Virent uses its patented BioForming® technology to create the fuels and chemicals the world needs from a wide range of naturally occurring, renewable resources. Virent’s patented chemistry converts biobased carbohydrate feedstocks into products molecularly identical to those made from petroleum. Virent’s technology can produce a range of fuel products, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, as well as chemicals used for plastics, fibers and films. Virent is currently working with Johnson Matthey to further develop the BioForming® technology and license it for future commercialization.
For more information visit www.matthey.com www.virent.com
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