The UK’s flag carrier, British Airways has stated that it is close to powering its future fleet with sustainable jet fuel made from rubbish. Development plans have been submitted to build Europe’s first household and commercial solid-waste to sustainable-fuels plant.
Altalto Immingham, a subsidiary of renewable fuels company Velocys and a collaborator with British Airways and Shell, has submitted a planning application to develop the site in Immingham, North East Lincolnshire.
The plant would be able to receive more than half-a-million tons of household rubbish and commercial solid waste each year, which otherwise would be used for landfill.
The technology, built by Velocys, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70%. For every ton of conventional fossil fuel replaced by sustainable jet fuel. This is equivalent of removing 40,000 cars from the roads.
British Airways intends to purchase jet fuel produced at the plant for use in its aircraft. This will help in the reduction of the airline’s carbon emissions towards the industry targets of carbon neutral growth from 2020 and a 50% reduction by 2050 from 2005 levels. The fuel will also improve air quality, with up to 90% reduction in soot from aircraft engine exhausts and a reduction of almost 100% in sulphur oxides.
