Browse Topics
Tools
Internaxx Stock Market
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2119.3 0.50
DAX 5252.45 1.50
IBEX 30 10726.8 0.59
CAC 40 3377.59 1.40
FTSE 100 4564.5 0.79
AEX 276.85 0.95
DJIA 9096.72 -0.13
Nasdaq 1975.51 0.39
FTSE MIB 20341.67 1.65
TSX Composite 10570.54 -1.74
ASX 4148.9 -0.60
Hang seng 20135.5 -2.37
Straits Times 0.00
ISEQ 20 442.48 0.27
You are here: Home News Dutch News KLM to fly on algae fuel

26/05/2008KLM to fly on algae fuel

The airline has announced plans to fuel its planes with kerosene made from algae.

26 May 2008

THE NETHERLANDS - Dutch airline KLM has announced plans to fuel its planes with kerosene made from algae.

The company has signed an exclusive contract with the Dutch company AlgaeLink to provide fuel for a pilot project which will begin this autumn, when the first test flight will take place.

AlgaeLink is opening two plants in 2008, one in The Netherlands and another in Spain. Initially the algae-based kerosene will be mixed with conventional fuel, but KLM's ultimate goal is to fuel its entire fleet with kerosene from algae and other plant-based oils.

The Dutch carrier says if all goes according to plan, 12 Fokker-50 planes - 7 percent of KLM's fleet - will fly on fuel derived from algae by 2010.  
    
Jean-Cyril Spinetta, the CEO of Air France-KLM, recently expressed his concern about an estimated increase of EUR 1.2 billion a year in fuel costs. The price of kerosene has risen by 55 percent so far this year and all airlines are experiencing serious problems.

In 2012, European airlines will have to pay extra for their CO2 emissions.

Since algae-based fuel is CO2-neutral, and is cost-effective when the price of oil exceeds USD 100 a barrel, KLM expects the fuel will save the company hundreds of millions of euros a year. The price of oil is currently trading at USD 135 a barrel.
    
AlgaeLink's managing director, Hans van de Ven, says he is negotiating with the world's largest cruise liner to build an algae-growing and oil-extraction system on a cruise ship.

"The emitted CO2 will be intercepted, and together with the biological waste of the ship will be used within the algae-to-oil system. The oil will be extracted on board the ship. After refining it can be used directly in the diesel engines."

[Radio Netherlands / Frank Scimone / Expatica]

0 reactions to this article

Discussion Forums

Employment in the Netherlands

Starting business as a partner of highly skilled migrant, by Amitmi2

Netherlands Soapbox

Random Thought of the Day, by miss_blue

Travel & Transport in the Netherlands

Grote beurt, by blackwater

Legal Problems in the Netherlands

Moving to UK - what happens to my Dutch residence permit, by avocado

Discuss Dutch Culture

What do people of Africa descent think of Zwarte Pete?, by pepe C

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Healthcare in the Netherlands

Healthcare in the Netherlands

Here’s a current guide to health insurance, doctors, dentists and pharmacies.

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Lost in the Dutch immigration system? Look no further than this guide compiled for our Survival Guide 2009.

The Netherlands at a glance

The Netherlands at a glance

Some basic facts and figures about living and working in the Netherlands.

Giving birth in the Netherlands

Giving birth in the Netherlands

The challenges and benefits of the maternity system in the Netherlands and how it differs to other countries.