Virgin Group has signed a new partnership aimed at producing lower carbon fuel, which could be used to power Virgin Atlantic flights.
Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, which owns 51 per cent of Virgin Atlantic, is to work with chemical conversion technology company Agilyx to research and develop processes to turn plastic waste into a fuel producing a lower level of emissions.
The group expects Virgin Atlantic and other Virgin companies to be early adopters of any new fuel, as part of the company’s plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, said: “Clearing the skies for tomorrow requires radical collaboration across innovators, producers, investors and airlines.
“We are delighted that Virgin Group and Agilyx are leading the charge to pilot new pathways in lower carbon fuels and we look forward to working closely with them to achieve our 10 per cent SAF target by 2030.”
The latest announcement comes after Virgin Atlantic last week agreed its first commercial deal to receive supplies of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Rival carrier British Airways has also stepped up its efforts to use more SAF through a multi-year agreement with Phillips 66 Limited, which operates a refinery in Lincolnshire. The fuel will be used to power some BA flights this year.