Boeing, South African Airways and SkyNRG Tap "Solaris" Tobacco for Biojet Fuel Production

Boeing recently announced collaboration with South African Airways and SkyNRG to make biojet fuel from tobacco.

"It's an honor for Boeing to work with South African Airways on a pioneering project to make sustainable jet fuel from an energy-rich tobacco plant," said J. Miguel Santos, managing director for Africa, Boeing International.

SkyNRG is expanding production of Solaris, a hybrid, nicotine-free tobacco that farmers could grow instead of traditional tobacco. Oil from the plant's seeds will then be converted into jet fuel. Test farming is underway in South Africa.

"By using hybrid tobacco, we can leverage knowledge of tobacco growers in South Africa to grow a marketable biofuel crop without encouraging smoking," said Ian Cruickshank, environmental affairs specialist at South African Airways Group.