Solazyme, Inc. announced that it has delivered 1,500 gallons of 100% algae-based jet fuel for the U.S. Navy’s testing and certification program.
The U.S. Navy has previously announced the objective to operate at least 50% of its fleet on clean, renewable fuel by 2020, and the delivery fulfills a contract awarded to Solazyme by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) in September 2009.
Solazyme, a renewable oil and green bioproducts company, manufactured the world’s first 100% algal-based jet fuel through its proprietary fermentation process in collaboration with renewable jet fuel processing technology from Honeywell’s UOP (NYSE: HON). Solazyme’s renewable Solajet™HRJ-5 is designed to meet all of the requirements for Naval renewable aviation fuel. In preliminary tests, it also meets the fuel requirements of the U.S. Air Force and meets the standards for commercial jet fuel, the company said.
Solazyme says its fuels provide an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels.
Prior to delivery to the Navy, the fuel was tested by an independent testing laboratory, and met all of the Navy’s 19 rigorous requirements for renewable hydrotreated jet fuel. In addition, the fuel meets the proposed ASTM D 7566 specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels containing synthesized hydrocarbons, which is a critical milestone for providing fuels not only for the military, but also for the civilian market.
Solazyme also has an agreement with the Department of the Defense to provide renewable F-76 Naval Distillate fuel for testing. F-76 Naval Distillate is similar to diesel fuel and is the primary shipboard fuel used by the Navy.
Founded in 2003 and headquartered in South San Francisco, Solazyme’s technology produces oils and biomaterials that are tailored to be drop-in replacements for fossil fuel and plant oils, which are feedstocks for a diverse range of products ranging from fuels and chemicals to personal care products.
Solazyme’s investors include Braemar Energy Ventures, Harris & Harris Group, Lightspeed VenturePartners, The Roda Group, and VantagePoint Venture Partners.
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