Objective

​To establish a supply chain for next-generation aviation fuels in Japan.

Description

This initiative was kicked off by ANA, JAL,NCA, Boeing Japan, Narita Airport, Japan Petroleum Exploration and University of Tokyo (UTokyo Center for Aviation Innovation Research) in 2014 and eventually some 50 entities, including the industry, government and academia joined and collaborated to promote the introduction of next-generation aviation fuels. With a view to establishing a supply chain for next-generation aviation fuels by 2020, we reviewed six raw materials including microalgae and municipal waste for the formulation of a roadmap.

The report of INAF incorporating roadmaps was issued in July 2015.

Partners

ANA, JAL, NCA, Boeing Japan, Narita Airport, Japan Petroleum Exploration and University of Tokyo Center for Aviation Innovation Research

Achievements to date

​July 2015 – the INAF Roadmap was published.

INAF's completion of its task and introduction of the roadmap in 2015 gained momentum for further all-Japan approaches. Following the publication of INAF's roadmap, a 'Committee for the Introduction of Bio Jet Fuel for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo (Committee)' was convened in July 2015 by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) with a view to overcoming challenges in materializing bio jet fuel-powered flights for 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.

Scheduled Airlines Association of Japan, Petroleum Association of Japan, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Boeing Japan and other interested entities including companies developing production of biofuels, such as Euglena Co., Ltd. are also participating in the deliberations. Besides the meetings of the Committee, Executive Board meetings were held on a few occasions.

At the outset, the Committee identified the production of biofuels and building a supply chain as the primary objectives. Through deliberations by the Committee and its Executive Board, the Committee at its 6th meeting in April 2018 noted that the outlook for the introduction of bio jet fuel during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games and the amount introduced are gradually becoming explicit.

The Committee further noted that the work had entered the next stage and to achieve the goals, from there on, the Executive Board as well as the individual member companies are to be entrusted with such tasks as promotion of a steady implementation of research and development and examination of a specific fuel supply system.

Therefore, the Committee, which met on a biannual basis since July 2015 until April 2018, will not be convened until such time as a member/members have a good prospect of a concrete introduction plan for bio jet fuel during the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Contact information

​Initiatives for Next-generation Aviation Fuels (INAF): http://inaf-japan.tumblr.com/tagged/English 

The "Committee for the Introduction of Bio Jet Fuel for the 2020 Olympic and paralympic Games in Tokyo" (Japanese only):

https://www.meti.go.jp/committee/kenkyukai/energy_environment/biojet/006_haifu.html