The US and China have opened an energy technology centre in Beijing to support the growth of the aviation industry.

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) and Boeing, a US aerospace company, will look at refining waste cooking oil into sustainable aviation biofuel as part of its first project.

Often described as “gutter oil” in China, the companies claim waste cooking oil could be used as an alternative to petroleum-based fuel as China consumes around 29million tons of cooking oil every year and the aviation system uses 20million tons of jet fuel. Using the conversion method could enhance regional biofuel supplies and improve its affordability, they claim.

The Boeing-COMAC Technology Centre will also work with researchers in China to expand knowledge in areas such as air traffic management to improve commercial aviation’s efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

Shi Jianzhong, Vice President of COMAC said: “Energy conservation emission reduction has currently become the hotspot and focus of the global aviation sector. We wish to construct the new centre as a demonstrative advanced technology centre and to make contributions to the development of the aviation industry in China and world with the concerted efforts of both sides.”