Safran Helicopter Engines joins biofuel study

The company is joining Euralis, Terega, Aquitaine Chimie Durable, Chemparc, Agri Sud Oest Innovation, Xylofutur, CCI Pau Bearn, Pau and Pays de l’Adur University and the Aerospace Valley consortium for the study.

The companies have all signed a Letter of Intent in the presence of Alain Rousset, President of the Regional Council of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

The signatories will evaluate local capabilities in the fields of agriculture, chemicals and energy to produce and distribute sustainable aviation biofuels. The local aerospace industry will benefit from having a sustainable fuel source in the area.

Rousset said: “To complete the necessary transition to carbon neutrality by 2020, the aerospace industry has to act in many areas. In the short and medium term, introducing biofuels is one of these. The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region possesses excellent resources in agriculture, chemicals and energy, which can be used to develop this production. We are committed to supporting this initiative for a more sustainable aviation industry.”

Yann Barbaux, Aerospace Valley President, added: “Reducing air transport’s environmental footprint is a top priority for all of us in the Aerospace Valley group. Introducing non-fossil fuels will help us to achieve this objective and bring greater prosperity to our region.”