Europe has set new goals for aviation sustainability in the region, considering it as part of their strategy to address global warming by aiming to achieve zero carbon emissions by the year 2050.
One of four key measures for transitioning to sustainable aviation involves the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), which is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by up to 34%. Ethanol is one of the clean energy sources with high potential for development as aircraft fuel for sustainability.
The development of ethanol production technology helps reduce the costs of importing fuel and value-added substances from other countries. Moreover, it adds value to agricultural produce. Ethanol production mainly relies on agricultural raw materials. Therefore, the ethanol production industry plays a crucial role in the multifaceted development of countries, particularly in the energy sector.
The raw materials used include agricultural crops such as grains, rice, corn, and root crops like cassava. Another popular type of raw material is sugar-based substances used in production, including sugarcane and sugarcane bagasse, among others.
Ethanol produced through biochemical processes is considered an eco-friendly fuel. It burns more completely than conventional fuels and is suitable for various types of aircraft engines. Research and testing are ongoing to use it as aircraft fuel. Currently, most aircraft use fossil fuels like jet fuel, which emit carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming. Hence, there is a shift towards developing sustainable aviation fuels to drive the aviation industry towards achieving Net Zero emissions as per the plan. If developed for commercial use extensively, it will lead to the development of bio-based aviation fuels and sustainable aviation in the future.
