Azul conducts experimental flight using biofuel.

247 with press office - Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras, in partnership with Amyris Inc., Embraer and GE, conducted an experimental flight on Tuesday, the 19th, using biofuel produced from sugarcane. Bound for Santos Dumont Airport in Rio de Janeiro, an E195 jet from the company departed from Viracopos Airport in Campinas and made a pass over the "Marvelous City" (Rio de Janeiro).

Named Azul+Verde (Blue+Green), the project began in November 2009 with the goal of testing a new concept for developing renewable jet fuel.

"Azul's commitment to reducing the use of volatile petroleum products goes beyond simply lowering our costs," said Flávio Costa, Azul's Vice President of Technical Operations. "The main objective is to innovate in service delivery and raise awareness among our customers that they are choosing an airline that not only cares about the environment but is also acting to preserve it."

A study conducted by the Institute for Studies of International Trade and Negotiations (Icone) on the greenhouse gas life cycle of Amyris' bio-kerosene shows that it can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 82% compared to fossil-based kerosene.

"Amyris' biofuel was developed to be compatible with jet fuel (A/A-1). A series of tests were conducted to measure its performance," said John Melo, president & CEO of Amyris. "The demonstration flight is an important milestone in our jet fuel program and will allow us to pursue international approval and commercialization goals."

This fuel, called AMJ 700, is made using modified microorganisms that work like living factories, converting sugar into pure hydrocarbon. This method results in a renewable kerosene that, once certified, will meet the most stringent aviation standards and those of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

For the experimental flight, an equivalent mixture of conventional aviation kerosene and renewable kerosene obtained from sugarcane fermentation (4,5 liters) was used, making this a unique flight in Brazilian aviation.

"During tests conducted earlier this year in Ohio, USA, Amyris' biofuel met the desired technical requirements," said Steve Csonka, Director of Environmental Strategy and Ecomagination at GE Aviation. "Combined with the new technologies constantly employed in engine development and certification, this bio-kerosene will certainly help meet the environmental goals of the aviation industry."

Mauro Kern, Executive Vice President of Engineering and Technology at Embraer, noted that no modifications or adaptations to the aircraft were necessary before this demonstration flight. "The tests conducted by Embraer with Amyris' biofuel in Brazil were a success. This confirms the performance potential of this renewable fuel, both technically and environmentally," commented Kern. "We are pleased with the technical success of this program and remain committed to developing cutting-edge technologies capable of contributing to the sustainability of aviation, including biofuels."

Adalberto Febeliano, Director of Institutional Relations at Azul, said that the company has great faith in the technology presented by Amyris. "Brazil has an abundance of productive land, which means that sugarcane cultivation doesn't have to compete with other crops, such as food crops," he noted. "We hope that it will be possible to adopt this fuel in commercial flights in the medium term, with large-scale production, making it economically viable."

Azul+Verde has institutional support from Banco Pine, BR Aviation, Total, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).