Mar 12 2008
Rentech, Inc., announced today it is expanding its initiative to produce synthetic biofuels from garbage, often referred to as municipal solid waste (MSW). Rentech, having developed, patented and licensed clean-energy technology for over a quarter-century, will pursue projects in large municipalities to convert garbage that otherwise would be buried at landfills into ultra-clean, biodegradable jet fuel, potentially meeting the needs of local airports and communities.
“The Rentech Process can help solve waste management issues by utilizing waste streams such as MSW for the production of synthetic biofuels,” stated Richard Penning, EVP of Commercial Affairs for Rentech. “For example, the County of Los Angeles alone creates close to 42,000 tons of garbage each day, and the City is quickly running out of landfill space to dispose of its waste,” Mr. Penning continued.
The production of biofuels from MSW using the Rentech Process could have a potentially carbon neutral or even carbon negative footprint while extending the life of existing landfills. These fuels are also cleaner burning and more efficient than petroleum-derived fuels.
Rentech recently hired D. Edwards, Inc., a premier waste management consulting firm, to assess market opportunities for converting MSW to synthetic biofuels, with a focus on California. The Company also recently hired a former World Waste Technology executive to lead the initiative.
Virgin Airlines successfully demonstrated the use of biofuels derived from coconut and Brazilian babassu nuts in a commercial airliner during a recent test flight from London to Amsterdam.
“We believe our technology’s ability to convert non-food feedstock such as MSW into biofuels provides the aviation industry with an excellent opportunity to reduce its carbon footprint. Large cities with busy airports and decreasing landfill space are ideal areas for us to offer this solution,” said Mr. Penning.
Significant progress has been made toward the certification of synthetic fuels for aviation use. The U.S. Air Force has certified blended synthetic fuels for its fleet of B-52 bombers and continues the certification process for additional aircraft. The FAA plans to certify blended synthetic fuels for commercial aircraft this year and the use of pure synthetic fuels in 2010.
Fuels produced by the Rentech Process from MSW would have better performance and would be better for the environment than any other commercially available fuels today due to their potential carbon neutral or even carbon negative footprint and lower regulated emissions.