ICARUS - International cooperation for sustainable aviation biofuels
The EU-funded ICARUS project (upcoming website: icarus-biojet.eu) has officially started in October 2023. The project’s kick-off meeting was held on October 30 and 31 2023 in Crete, Greece.
Background
All aviation forecasts anticipate ongoing international growth in the industry's future. Returning to prepandemic activity levels will likely take some time, with certain estimates projecting a recovery extending into 2024 and beyond. This revival will be influenced by factors such as traveler willingness, workforce availability, and other variables. Nevertheless, the long-term outlook suggests that aviation will continue to expand due to its inherent value in providing safe, efficient, and high-speed transportation of goods and people for society. This growth will lead to increased demand for fuel, necessitating a boost in sustainable fuel production.
Aviation poses one of the greatest challenges in transitioning away from fossil fuels because the quality of its fuel must adhere to strict specifications set by ASTM. However, the aviation industry has set ambitious emissions reduction targets, and the process to achieve these objectives for international aviation is currently being developed in collaboration with the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
