Airlines sign synthetic diesel supply agreement with Rentech

26 August 2009

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization for US airlines, announced that eight of its member airlines have signed an agreement with Rentech and Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG) to purchase up to 1.5 million gallons per year of renewable synthetic diesel fuel (RenDiesel) for use in ground service equipment at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) beginning in late 2012, when Rentech's plant to produce the fuel is scheduled to go into service.

The initial airline purchasers of RenDiesel are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, UPS Airlines and US Airways, with the potential for adding other airline partners.

The renewable RenDiesel will be produced at the commercial-scale facility that Rentech is developing in Rialto, CA. The main feedstock will be urban woody green waste such as yard clippings. The fuel is expected to have a low carbon footprint while meeting or fuel quality standards applicable to petroleum fuels. ASIG, which provides fueling services to many airlines that operate at LAX, will handle receipt and dispensing of the RenDiesel.

Source: ATA