Boeing, Embraer sign up for Brazilian biofuel research

Sao Paulo: US commercial aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co and its Brazilian counterpart Embraer have joined forces with a Brazilian state run scientific research foundation to develop ways and means to expand the use of biofuels for jet engines.

Brazil is one of the world's largest producers of sugarcane, the second largest producer of ethanol and its largest exporter. It has vast experience on developing alternate fuels from renewable resources such as sugarcane.

The two aerospace companies signed an agreement on Wednesday with the Sao Paulo State Scientific Research Federation (Fapesp), to construct a research centre in Brazil that will study the infrastructure, transport and global marketing of bio-kerosene.

"This is not just a gesture. This is a serious investigation in what bio-fuels will be viable for this industry going forward," Boeing International chief executive Shep Hill said. "We chose Brazil because of its strengths in biomass and this type of fuel stock."

Brazil is also a major biodiesel producer from vegetable oils.

Hill added, however, that Boeing was also involved in algae-based biofuel research in the Middle East and in jatropha-based research in Asia.