Groundbreaking biofuels capable of powering jet engines with minimal environmental fallout was top of the agenda at a special alternative aviation fuels forum hosted by the US Studies Centre at the 2011 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition.The three-day forum brought together leading government and international aviation industry representatives to discuss the progress towards commercial use of sustainable fuels and opportunities for cooperation and investment.

Supported by the Dow Chemical Company and Alcoa, the forum was facilitated by the Centre's Adjunct Professor with the Dow Sustainability Program, Susan Pond, and the Executive Director of the US-based Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI), Richard Altman.

2 March | Setting the Stage for Aviation Biofuels

Sustainable Aviation Alternative Fuels - From Afterthought to Cutting Edge
Richard Altman, Executive Director, Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI)

Pathways to Jet-A project
David White, Virgin Blue Airlines Group and Bob McCarthy, University of Queensland

National Assessment for Sustainable Biofuels in Australia
Andrew Braid, Research Scientist, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Real success with algal biofuels development
Ollie Clark AM, Chairman, Muradel Pty Ltd

Algae from production, to harvesting and products
David Lewis, University of Adelaide, Muradel Advisory Group

3 March | Alternative Fuels Initiatives in Australia

Chairman: Mr Richard Altman, CAAFI

Commercialisation of Sustainable Aviation Fuels
William F Lyons, General Manager, Boeing Research and Technology - Australia

Biotechnology of Pongamia pinnata, a oil seed tree for sustainable large scale biofuel production for the aviation industry
Peter Gresshoff, Director ARC Centre of Excellence, Integrative Legume Research, University of Queensland

Destination Australia: Qantas and Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Nicole Williamson, Qantas Group Manager Climate Change Strategy and Programs, Qantas Airways

Biofuels in Australia – where are we heading?
Heather Brodie, CEO, Biofuels Association of Australia Algae, Looking to the Future
Gerald Barker, CEO, Muradel Pty Ltd

4 March | Alternative Aviation Fuels: The Next Steps

Chairman: Mr Richard Altman, CAAFI

Australian Renewable Fuels: A Business Case for Aviation Biofuels
Tom Engelsman, Managing Director, Australian Renewable Fuels

Next Steps in Biofuel Development and Deployment
Claudio Bertelli, Sales Manager, UOP

Path to Aviation Grade Fuel
Andrew Lawson, Managing Director, MBD Energy Limited

Aviation Biofuels Derived From Waste Gas Fermented Alcohols
Shane Fleming, Bio Process Engineer, LanzaTech NZ Ltd

Summary and Future Opportunities
Susan Pond, Dow Sustainability Program, United States Studies Centre