Aviation Biofuel Certification Process Set To Begin.

Flight International (10/12, Kuhn) reported, "A key step to starting the certification process for bio-derived jet fuels is nearing completion. Testing of bio-derived blends of generic synthetic paraffinic kerosene (SPK), called hydrotreated renewable jet (HRJ), has been under way for more than a year and a report about the research findings is expected to be complete by the end of 2009, says Mark Rumizen, US Federal Aviation Administration certification and qualification team leader for the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI), a consortium of aerospace firms, trade groups and the FAA." The results of the study will be considered by ASTM International, a "voluntary standards development organization" due to publish fuel specifications for 50% HRJ fuel blends some time next year, according to Rumizen.

Mexico To Team With Boeing, Honeywell On Large-Scale Biofuel Production Research.

Air Transport Intelligence (10/15, Ranson) reported, "Mexican aviation fuel services provider the Airports and Auxiliary Services Agency (ASA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Boeing and Honeywell subsidiary UOP to research the potential for Mexico to produce materials for potential use in biofuel production." The memorandum was signed during the Latin American Airline Association leadership forum in Cartagena, Columbia on Thursday. According to the article, the research will focus on "assessing the potential for large-scale production of fuels from halophytes, algae, jatropha, castor and other potential biofuel materials."