A recent study by the clean transport campaign group Brussels-based Transport & Environment raises concerns about the use of animal fats from deceased pigs, cattle, and chickens to produce environmentally friendly jet fuel, suggesting that it could have a negative impact on the planet.
These animal fats are typically considered waste, and using them for aviation fuel production results in a significantly lower carbon footprint. The demand for fuel derived from animal by-products is projected to triple by 2030, driven primarily by the aviation industry.
While this is seen as a positive step towards greener alternatives, experts worry that the growing demand for animal fats could lead to scarcity in other industries, thereby increasing the reliance on palm oil.
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Using Pig Fat To Fuel Jet Planes
The Pig Site reported in 2007 that North Carolina State University (NCSU) scientists and engineers created a biofuel system capable of transforming animal fats, such as lipids from killed chickens, hogs, and cattle, into fuel for commercial airliners and fighter planes. Because it does not use petroleum-derived products, the technique is deemed totally green.
NCSU has obtained provisional patents for using the process to convert fats into jet fuel or additives for cold-weather biodiesel fuels. The technology has been licensed by Diversified Energy Corp., an Arizona-based company specializing in advanced alternative and renewable energy technologies.
The technology offers several advantages over other biofuel projects. It can utilize various lipid-based feedstocks, including low-quality sources like cooking grease, which reduces costs by approximately 30% compared to using corn or canola oils. Moreover, since it does not rely on corn-based ethanol, it avoids direct competition with the food supply.
The fuel produced in this process also burns cleaner without generating soot or particulate matter. Additionally, the process effectively utilizes glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel production that is typically discarded as waste, by burning it efficiently to provide the high temperatures required for the fuel-making process.
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Why Pig Fat as Jet Fuel Could Cause Harm to the Environment
Matt Finch from Transport & Environment explained that the increasing demand for animal fats in aviation fuel production could lead to a shift towards using palm oil as an alternative, indirectly contributing to the expansion of palm oil production and its associated environmental impact.
As per BBC News, the use of palm oil has been linked to higher carbon emissions due to deforestation for plantations. While biodiesel made from palm oil is considered a sustainable fuel for cars and trucks, the UK and EU governments aim to increase the use of waste materials, including animal fats, for greener aviation.
Transport & Environment has highlighted the significant amounts of animal fat that would be required for aviation fuel production. For instance, a flight from Paris to New York would need fat from approximately 8,800 dead pigs if the fuel was solely derived from animal sources.
The UK's expected restrictions on animal products and used cooking oils in aviation fuel could lead to minimal use of animal-derived material in flights refueling in the country. In the EU, where airlines have a 6% sustainable aviation fuel target by 2030, with 1.2% from e-kerosene, the remaining 4.8% derived from animal fat would require about 400 pigs per transatlantic flight.
This increased demand for animal fat raises concerns about competition with other industries, particularly pet food manufacturers, and the decision to prioritize aviation sustainability rests with the government.
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