Airbus joins new energy program

Leading global aircraft manufacturer Airbus has committed to developing mallee-based biofuel after entering into partnership with the New Woody Crops research program run by Future Farm Industries Co-operative Research Centre.

Picture by Peter Garside: Aviation representatives Delia Dimitriu (Airbus), David White (Virgin Australia), Future Farm Industries’ Peter Zurzolo and General Electric’s Ben Waters inspect a Great Southern mallee plantation last month.

The aviation giant pledged $150,000 for the program, joining Virgin Australia and General Electric Australia in funding ongoing research into the viability of harvesting mallee from the Great Southern and Wheatbelt regions for use in aviation fuel production.

Last month representatives from each company, including Manchester Metropolitan University researcher and Airbus consultant Delia Dimitriu, toured farms near Narrogin to see first hand the economic potential of mallee production.

Future Farm Industries CRC chief executive Peter Zurzolo said a memorandum of understanding between Airbus and his organisation was announced in Geneva the following week.

“What the visit did was cement their commitment to undertaking a life cycle analysis and sustainability study,” he said.

“When they saw first hand exactly what we were talking about, how it integrates into the farming landscapes and the benefits it provides farms potentially economically and environmentally, they were really impressed.”

Dr Dimitriu said mallee-based biofuel was one of the most important projects Airbus was conducting on alternative fuels globally.

“The Australian project has a great potential to be implemented through its entire value chain, based on existing knowledge and a very professional and dedicated team,” she said.

“The air transport industry is now working towards carbon-neutral growth … so any sustainable solution is needed. Mallee trees seems a perfect answer.”

josh.nyman@albanyadvertiser.com