#Japan #Tokyo #Sustainable Aviation Fuel #Sorghum Bioethanol #J-BAS Consortium

Establishment of the J-BAS Consortium

The Japan Society of Industrial Machinery Manufacturers has announced the launch of the J-BAS (Japan Bio Alcohol from Sorghum) consortium. This initiative aims to expand the supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and push forward the realization of a carbon-neutral society through the establishment of cost-effective domestic bioethanol production processes using sorghum as a raw material.

Background of J-BAS

The aviation sector is increasingly acknowledging the global trends towards decarbonization. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have set ambitious goals to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, aiming for a 50% reduction by 2050 compared to 2005 levels. Achieving these goals requires transitioning at least 10% of fuel usage to SAF by 2030, a target clearly outlined by the Japanese government and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

However, the global supply of SAF was only 0.03% of jet fuel as of 2020, illustrating a significant gap in supply and demand. Addressing this gap necessitates the development of innovative manufacturing technologies and the establishment of a stable domestic supply chain.

J-BAS’s Mission: Reconstructing Bioethanol Production from a Manufacturing Perspective

J-BAS intends to rethink the conventional bioethanol production process from a manufacturing perspective. The focus will be on the development of technical innovations that lead to plant demonstrations and commercialization. Two main areas of concentration are:

1. Integration of Engineering Technologies: This involves packaging domestic industrial machinery technologies related to raw material grinding, transport, heat recovery, reaction control, membrane separation, distillation, and plant construction to establish optimal manufacturing processes.

2. Cost Reduction through Process Optimization: Instead of limiting efforts to singular technological advancements, the goal is to optimize the entire manufacturing system, aiming to reduce costs associated with domestic bioethanol production.

J-BAS also plans to investigate additional factors such as the utilization of domestic enzymes, exploration of sorghum's properties as a raw material, and considerations for future scale-up based on forthcoming demonstrations and commercial applications. These developments will be communicated as they progress.

The consortium anticipates that plant demonstrations and commercialization may occur under a separate organization or phase; therefore, J-BAS shall primarily focus on technological advancement.

Future Outlook

J-BAS aims to push forward with a synergistic approach between academia and industry to establish technical elements that bridge basic research with practical demonstrations, preparing for future commercial applications. This consortium includes key domestic industrial machinery manufacturers and various university laboratories specializing in biotechnology and process engineering, contributing to the foundation of a new bioethanol industry in Japan.

To expand its activities, J-BAS welcomes participation from related organizations and manufacturing companies supportive of this initiative.

Conclusion

With the establishment of the J-BAS consortium, Japan is making strides toward enhancing its domestic supply of SAF through the innovative use of sorghum for bioethanol production. This initiative not only aligns with global decarbonization efforts but also positions Japan as a key player in the future of sustainable aviation fuel development.