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-Virent and Johnson Matthey: behind the pioneering technology that enabled the first 100% SAF transatlantic flight

LONDON, Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a landmark achievement for the aviation industry, BioForming® Sugar to Aromatics (S2A) technology developed by Virent and Johnson Matthey has enabled the first transatlantic flight using aviation fuel ( SAF) 100% sustainable carried by a commercial airline. This historic flight represents a significant step in the aviation industry's journey toward a low-carbon future.

The Virgin Atlantic flight was powered entirely by SAF, which was a direct substitute for conventional jet fuel, but manufactured solely from sustainable raw materials. This was made possible by the inclusion of a new bio-based aromatic jet fuel blend component. Aromatics are an essential part of jet fuel as they interact with polymer seals, causing them to swell to help prevent fuel leaks, increase lubricity, and ensure proper fuel system performance.

Originally invented by Virent and co-developed for commercialization by Virent and Johnson Matthey, the BioForming® process converts sustainable plant sugars into bioaromatic products, including BioForm® Synthesized Aromatic Kerosene (SAK). SAK supplies the aromatics needed for jet fuel and can be blended with a variety of other SAFs, accelerating the shift from conventional fuel to sustainable alternatives compatible with existing aviation technology. The various demonstration flights using BioForm® SAK have also shown that SAK can be a "normalizer" to ensure that different SAF blends can meet specifications and meet aviation performance criteria.

Maurits van Tol, CEO of Catalyst Technologies at Johnson Matthey said: “BioForming® technology is at the heart of this breakthrough, it is the key to unlocking a future-proof solution for air travel with much higher levels of decarbonisation. Johnson Matthey has collaborated with Virent to further develop and optimize the process and catalysts behind BioForming® S2A technology.

"Virgin Atlantic's successful flight is a testament to what we can achieve. It is a call to action to accelerate SAF production. At Johnson Matthey, we are committed to working with partners, like Virent, and driving sustainable innovation and contributing to the global fight against climate change."

Virent President and General Counsel David Kettner said: "We are excited about the opportunity to work with these forward-thinking companies and be part of another successful demonstration flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel with BioForm® SAK combustion. cleanest Virent."

"With Virent's plant-based fuel technology, this test flight demonstrated that 100% renewable fuel can meet current specifications and work perfectly in today's commercial airline engines. Virent will continue to collaborate with future-focused companies and, through this collaboration, we can continue to reduce emissions and drive a more fuel-efficient airline industry.”

BioForm® SAK provides the necessary aromatics in the jet fuel used for today's aircraft and infrastructure without the need for any revisions or modifications. This means that sustainable aviation fuel can be fully “mainstreamed”. It enables a complete change from the current practice of blending conventional fuels with SAF to meet jet fuel standards to a 100% SAF solution. Ultimately, BioForming® technology has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions and marks a transformative moment for both the aviation industry and global environmental efforts.

For more information about BioForming® technology, visit matthey.com/bioforming-saf and virent.com/technology/bioforming/. To learn more about Johnson Matthey's sustainability initiatives visit matthey.com/sustainability.

Johnson Matthey is a global leader in sustainable technologies. For more than 200 years we have used advanced metal chemistry to address the world's greatest challenges.

Many of the world's leading energy, chemicals and automotive companies depend on our technology and expertise to decarbonize, reduce harmful emissions and improve their sustainability.

And now, as the world faces the challenges of climate change, energy supply and resource scarcity, we are actively providing solutions to our customers. Through inspiring science and continuous innovation, we are catalyzing the net zero transition for millions of people every day.

Virent is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation, an integrated refining, marketing and midstream logistics company. Virent uses its patented BioForming® technology to create the fuels and chemicals the world needs from a wide range of natural renewable resources. Virent's proprietary chemistry converts bio-based carbohydrate feedstocks into products molecularly identical to those made from petroleum. Virent's technology can produce a variety of fuel products, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as chemicals used for plastics, fibers and films. Virent is currently working with Johnson Matthey to further develop the BioForming® technology and license it for future commercialization.

For more information, visit www.matthey.com www.virent.com

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