Boeing to Open Sustainable Aviation Research and Development Center in Japan

(03 August 2022, 12:25 +07)  Boeing has unveiled plans to open a research and technology center in Japan.

Boeing and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) have agreed to broaden their 2019 Cooperation Agreement to now include a focus on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), electric and hydrogen powertrain technologies, and future flight concepts that will promote zero climate impact aviation.

The Boeing Research and Technology (BR&T) facility will also explore electric and hybrid-electric propulsion, batteries and composite manufacturing that will enable new forms of urban mobility.

Boeing 737 MAX 7. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

"We are excited to open our latest global research and technology center here in Japan," said Greg Hyslop, Boeing Chief Engineer and Executive Vice President of Engineering, Test & Technology. "Working with terrific partners like METI, the new center will expand upon Boeing-wide initiatives in sustainable fuels and electrification, and explore the intersection of digitization, automation and high-performance aerospace composites for greater sustainability in our future products and production systems."

The BR&T – Japan Research Center will be located in Nagoya, home to many of Boeing's major industrial partners and suppliers.

The facility will further expand Boeing's research and development footprint in the region, which already includes centers in Australia, China and Korea.

Boeing is fully committed to supporting Japan's SAF industry and has been accepted as the latest member of Act for Sky, a voluntary organization of 16 companies that works to commercialize, promote and expand the use of SAF produced in Japan. It was founded by All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL), along with global engineering company JGC Holdings Corporation, and biofuel producer Revo International.

Chris Raymond, Boeing Chief Sustainability Officer, said, "To ensure the enormous societal benefits of aviation remain available for generations to come, we must continue to partner with capable innovators and leaders to support the industry's commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. We are humbled to join Act for Sky and collaborate with other members to share global best practices and help with the scale up and demand of SAF in Japan. And we are honored to open the Japan Research Center and expand our work with airline customers ANA and JAL on advanced technologies to realize zero climate impact aviation."

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