The effort will focus on developing and testing renewable energy technology to convert biofeedstocks to commercial aviation fuels, with specific focus on second-generation feedstocks such as algae which do not compete with food or water resources.

UOP, a leading developer of refining technology, has already developed process technology to convert natural oils and greases to military jet fuel as part of a project funded by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). (Earlier post.) The process technology produces renewable jet fuel that is a drop-in replacement for traditional kerosene-based jet fuel and meets all the critical performance specifications for flight.

This technology will also be viable for use in the production of jet fuel for commercial jets. UOP is developing a range of biofuels technologies in addition to jet fuel and has already commercialized the UOP/Eni Ecofining Process to produce renewable diesel from biofeedstocks. (Earlier post.)