Air Transport

Environmental researchers are taking their findings on alternative sources of aviation fuel to China next month in a bid to start production of a synthetic kerosene in the country.

Beacon Energy, a UK pressure group, is meeting the Chinese academy of sciences and several universities next month to start research into the fuel, produced from biomass, being considered by the Chinese government as its air transport industry grows.

A 2003 UK government study into converting organic waste into crude oil showed a production price of around $45 per barrel, Current crude oil prices of around $65 per barrel have convinced the Chinese authorities to look at the technology.

Tony Marmont, Beacon Energy chief executive says: “As China has no indigenous sources of crude oil and the USA is blocking exports, it will have to produce its own if its aviation is to grow.”