Sustainable aviation fuels
Aircraft require a lot of energy to fly long distances at high speeds,
while batteries have low energy density and require a large number of batteries to meet aircraft requirements.
Therefore, it is currently impossible to replace aircraft fuel with batteries.
※Energy density
Kerosene about 12,000Wh/kg
Lithium-ion batteries about 200Wh/kg
As an alternative, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are gaining attention.
Our SAF
A Game-Changer
While conventional jet fuel typically contains carbon atoms in the range of 10 to 15,
the hydrocarbons produced by Botryococcus boast approximately 30 carbon atoms.
In general, the inclusion rate of Botryococcus-derived hydrocarbons in jet fuel
is considered to be limited to a few percentage points.
This limitation arises from the high carbon content of these hydrocarbons.
This low blending capacity has hindered the goal
of achieving carbon neutrality in aviation fuel.
Our Discovery
Our research has uncovered a specific strain of Botryococcus
that produces hydrocarbons with approximately 15 to 20 carbon atoms.
This breakthrough allows us to significantly increase the blending ratio of
Botryococcus-derived hydrocarbons in aviation fuel, up to 30%.
The Impact
By leveraging this technology, we can accelerate carbon-neutral initiatives
within the aviation industry. Our goal is to propel the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels, reduce carbon emissions, and pave the way for a greener future.