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LOS ANGELES: Rentech, Inc. announced today that the United States Air Force has purchased ultra-clean synthetic jet fuel produced at the Company’s fully-integrated synthetic fuels and chemicals facility in Commerce City, CO.
The Air Force will use the purchased RenJet synthetic fuel for performance and emissions testing in a turbine engine. Previously, the Air Force conducted laboratory testing of the Company’s synthetic jet fuel, which confirmed that the quality and characteristics of RenJet fuel meet the Air Force’s specifications for synthetic fuels.
Rentech’s patented and proprietary technology, which can be used to produce synthetic fuels from a wide variety of biomass and fossil resources, is ideally suited for large-volume alternative jet and diesel fuel production. RenJet and RenDiesel fuels are biodegradable, cleaner-burning and have a longer shelf life than traditional petroleum-derived fuels. In addition, the lower density of RenJet fuel could enable aircraft to have a lower take-off weight, which conserves fuel and therefore lowers operating costs.
Alternatively, the lower density of RenJet fuel could allow aircraft to carry heavier payloads with the same weight of fuel when compared to traditional jet fuel. Rentech’s synthetic fuels can also be used without modifying existing jet or diesel engines or distribution systems.
Rentech has produced thousands of gallons of ultra-clean synthetic fuels and specialty chemicals at its Colorado facility, including military jet fuel, commercial Jet A and Jet A-1 and ultra-low sulfur diesel, all of which met or exceeded applicable specifications.
The United States Air Force is the single largest consumer of fuel in the Department of Defense, using approximately 2.6 billion gallons or $5.6 billion of jet fuel in 2007. As such, the Air Force has announced its intention to enhance national security by reducing its dependence on imported fuels. T
he Air Force is testing the Company’s RenJet fuel as part of its alternative energy program under which it plans to obtain 50% of its fuel from domestic synthetic sources by 2016. The Air Force plans to complete testing and certification of aircraft fleet/systems on a 50/50 blend of alternative and conventional fuel by 2011. Fuels produced from the Fischer-Tropsch process, on which Rentech’s technology is based, are the only alternative fuel type currently certified for use by the United States Air Force.
Commenting on the Air Force’s purchase and testing of Rentech’s jet fuel, Richard Penning, Executive Vice President of Technology and Commercial Affairs for Rentech, said, “The Air Force’s purchase of our fuels after preliminary testing is an important milestone for the Company. This represents the first sale of our synthetic jet fuel, validating the demand for fuels produced from the Rentech Process. RenJet fuels are being tested by the United States Air Force as part of the Air Force’s program for securing domestic energy suppliers of alternate fuels. Rentech is honored to participate in this important and historic program and to be a potential long-term supplier of ultra-clean synthetic fuels that can be part of a program to help improve energy security, reduce pollution and invigorate local and national economies.”
Rentech, Inc. incorporated in 1981, provides clean energy solutions. The Rentech Process is a patented and proprietary technology that converts synthesis gas from biomass and fossil resources into hydrocarbons that can be processed and upgraded into ultra-clean synthetic fuels, specialty waxes and chemicals. Rentech Energy Midwest Corporation, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, manufactures and sells fertilizer products including ammonia, urea ammonia nitrate, urea granule and urea solution to the corn-belt region.
Rentech, Inc.
