A Boeing lab technician conducts automated freeze-point testing on jet fuel samples at the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Fuels and Lubricants Test Laboratory in Seattle, Wash. Boeing is exploring second-generation biofuel testing to identify renewable alternative fuel sources for aviation uses.
Much of our airplane development work—be it weight reduction or advanced aerodynamics—is focused on fuel efficiency. In fact, more than 75 percent of Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ research and development (R&D) effectively contributes to improving the environmental performance of our products. Fuel efficiency continues to be a core focus of our R&D efforts—lowering fuel use lowers CO2 emissions. We are also striving to make our airplanes quieter in the community as well as inside the cabin. And we continue to explore far-reaching projects such as low-carbon alternative fuels for aviation use.
We have also developed alternative materials and processes for manufacturing and maintenance.