In June ASTM voted to approve renewable aviation fuels produced by hydrotreating bio-based feedstocks for use in air traffic. (Earlier post.) Neste Oil’s NExBTL renewable aviation fuel, based on hydrotreating vegetable and waste oils, is one such fuel. Commercial flights with the fuel are due to start in the coming months when the ASTM’s specification process for aviation biofuels is completed.

Lufthansa last year said that, pending certification, it will test NExBTL renewable jet fuel with an Airbus A321 on scheduled commercial flights on the Hamburg-Frankfurt-Hamburg route. (Earlier post.) One of the aircraft’s engines will use a 50-50 mix of Neste Oil’s NExBTL renewable jet biofuel and traditional kerosene; the other engine will use conventional jet fuel. The primary purpose of the project is to conduct a long-term trial to study the effect of biofuel on engine maintenance and engine life.

Using NExBTL renewable aviation fuel helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as other pollutants, such as SO_x.