Thursday 4 August 2022

Boeing to open sustainability research centre in Japan

Boeing has announced plans to open a new research and development centre in Nagoya, Japan, that will focus on sustainable technologies.

The Boeing Research and Technology (BR&T) centre will support a newly-expanded co-operation agreement with Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) that will now include a focus on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), electric and hydrogen powertrain technologies and future flight concepts that will promote zero climate impact aviation.

That's in addition to exploring electric and hybrid-electric propulsion, robotics, digitisation and batteries and composite manufacturing that will enable new forms of urban mobility.

Boeing was recently accepted as the latest member of ACT FOR SKY, a voluntary organisation of 16 companies working to commercialise, promote and expand the use of SAF produced in Japan.

It was founded by Boeing airline customers All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL), along with global engineering company JGC Holdings Corporation and biofuel producer Revo International.

Chris Raymond, Boeing Chief Sustainability Officer said: “To ensure the enormous societal benefits of aviation remain available for generations to come, we must continue to partner with capable innovators and leaders to support the industry's commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“We are humbled to join ACT FOR SKY and collaborate with other members to share global best practices and help with the scale up and demand of SAF in Japan. And we are honoured to open the Japan Research Centre and expand our work with airline customers ANA and JAL on advanced technologies to realise zero climate impact aviation.”