Solaris

Boeing and South African Airways (SAA) have launched a joint initiative to produce aviation biofuel from tobacco plants.

In a major step in producing bio jet fuel, farmers in South Africa will soon harvest their first crop of nicotine-free tobacco plants called Solaris.

Oil extracts from the plant seeds are expected to be converted into biofuel as early as next year, Boeing said.

Project Solaris, the collaboration between Boeing, SAA, Dutch biofuel company SkyNRG and Italian industrial research firm Sunchem Holding was announced in August.

The nicotine-free Solaris plant was developed and patented by Sunchem. Solaris is claimed to have the potential to reduce 80% of carbon emissions compared to fossil kerosene.

Sunchem and SkyNRG have partnered to help farmers in Limpopo province in South Africa to grow Solaris on a large-scale. Boeing and SAA are support financing the project and its launch.

"It is very exciting to see early progress in South Africa towards developing sustainable aviation biofuel from energy-producing tobacco plants."

SAA Group environmental affairs specialist Ian Cruickshank said: "The impact that the biofuel programme will have on South Africans is astounding: thousands of jobs mostly in rural areas, new skills and technology, energy security and stability and macro-economic benefits to South Africa, and of course, a massive reduction in the amount of CO2 that is emitted into our atmosphere."

The partners plan to extend the project to other parts of South Africa and eventually to various countries, depending on its success. Currently, Solaris is being grown on 123 acres in Limpopo.

Boeing International managing director for Africa J Miguel Santos said: "It is very exciting to see early progress in South Africa towards developing sustainable aviation biofuel from energy-producing tobacco plants."

In addition to Project Solaris, Boeing has active biofuel development projects in the US, Middle East, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Brazil and Australia.

Image: Nicotine-free tobacco plant Solaris is being grown on 123 acres in South African province of Limpopo. Photo: courtesy of Sunchem SA.