Virgin unveils fuel breakthrough

Virgin Atlantic is to develop a low carbon aviation fuel with half the carbon footprint of the standard fossil fuel alternative.

Claiming it as a world-first, the airline is developing the fuel with LanzaTech and said it "represents a breakthrough in aviation fuel technology".

The fuel will use waste gases from industrial steel production which will be captured, fermented and chemically converted using Swedish Biofuels technology for use as a jet fuel.

"The revolutionary fuel production process recycles waste gases that would otherwise be burnt into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide," said Virgin.

The airline plans to use the fuel on flights from Shanghai and Delhi to London Heathrow within two to three years.

A 'demo' flight with the new fuel is planned in 12-18 months.

LanzaTech estimates that its process can apply to 65% of the world's steel mills, which means the fuel can be rolled out for worldwide commercial use.

It also believes this process can apply to metals processing and chemical industries, growing its potential considerably further.

Virgin president Sir Richard Branson, said: "We were the first commercial airline to test a bio-fuel flight and we continue to lead the airline industry as the pioneer of sustainable aviation.

"This partnership to produce a next generation, low-carbon aviation fuel is a major step towards radically reducing our carbon footprint, and we are excited about the savings that this technology could help us achieve.

"With oil running out, it is important that new fuel solutions are sustainable, and with the steel industry alone able to deliver over 15 billion gallons of jet fuel annually, the potential is very exciting.

"This new technology is scalable, sustainable and can be commercially produced at a cost comparable to conventional jet fuel."