With an industry-wide push for cleaner, more sustainable ways to power aircraft, the airline sector is exploring greener fuels. At an Airbus research site in Ottobrunn, near Munich, scientists are cultivating algae in large open tanks to develop a low-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel. The team, working with Munich Technical University, focuses on producing biofuel from algae, though commercial-scale production remains a future goal.
According to Thomas Brück, associate professor of industrial biocatalysis at Munich TU, algae-based fuels could supply roughly 3–5 percent of global jet fuel demand by 2050. Algae offer several advantages over traditional crop-based biofuels: they grow far faster than land-grown plants and yield higher oil content. Research indicates that algae can grow many times faster than terrestrial crops and can produce significantly more oil per unit area than sources like rapeseed.
Despite these benefits, falling fossil jet fuel prices have dampened near-term demand for alternatives. Only a handful of carriers, including Lufthansa and KLM, have shown interest in test flights using algae-derived fuels. Broad replacement of conventional kerosene will likely require a mix of technologies rather than relying on algae alone. “To substitute 100 percent of the kerosene use today, we will not do it with algae alone. We need a combination of different technologies to actually enable that substitution,” Brück said.
Regional authorities and industry partners are investing in the research to accelerate progress. The Bavarian government and Airbus have committed roughly $11 million to support development, aiming to make algae-derived kerosene economically viable for airlines. Researchers and company spokespeople acknowledge that more work is needed before competitive commercial supply is available, but they remain optimistic about long-term prospects. “We are confident that, over time, we will be able to offer kerosene made from algae at a competitive price,” an Airbus spokesperson said.
The Ottobrunn project illustrates the broader trend across aviation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through innovation. Algae biofuels are one potential solution among a portfolio that includes improved aircraft efficiency, synthetic fuels, and operational changes. Continued research, investment, and pilot programs will determine how large a role algae-based fuels can play in decarbonizing air travel over the coming decades.
