Air NZ inks MOU with biofuel company Licella

15 December 2011: Air New Zealand has signed an MoU with Licella Pty to examine the development and commercialisation of a process to convert woody biomass into sustainable biofuel in New Zealand.

Licella has developed a unique process using a Catalytic Hydro Thermal Reactor (Cat-HTR) which converts woody materials and other bio-mass into a high quality bio-crude oil. Under the MOU Air New Zealand and Licella will jointly explore the potential of the technology to produce sustainable aviation biofuel in New Zealand.

Air New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise have been working closely with Licella and Norske Skog for more than two years regarding opportunities for the technology in New Zealand. Licella Fibre Fuels, a new JV formed by Licella and Norske Skog Australasia, holds the exclusive license of proprietary knowledge and IP for converting sustainable ligno-cellulosic biomass into a bio-crude oil using the Cat-HTR.

Source: Voxy