Boeing has partnered with Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) to open a demonstration facility, to produce sustainable aviation biofuel from waste cooking oil in China.

The companies intend to produce 1.8 billion litres of biofuel each year from used cooking oil.

Boeing China president Ian Thomas said: "By working together for mutual benefit, we’re finding innovative ways to support China’s aviation industry and build a sustainable future."

"By working together for mutual benefit, we’re finding innovative ways to support China’s aviation industry and build a sustainable future."

Called the China-US Aviation Biofuel Pilot Project, the facility incorporates technology provided by Hangzhou Energy & Engineering Technology.

The technology will clean contaminants from waste oils and convert it into jet fuel, and will have a capacity to produce 650l a day.

Boeing said that the biofuel produced at the plant will comply with the standards approved in 2011 for fuel made from plant oils and animal fats.

COMAC Beijing Aeronautical Science and Technology Research Institute vice-president Guangqiu Wang said: "We will continue to work with Boeing in energy conservation and emissions reduction areas to promote the sustainable development of the aviation industry."

Boeing and COMAC have established Aviation Energy Conservation and Emissions Reductions Technology Center in Beijing in 2012.

The centre is engaged in exploring ways to improve efficiency in areas such as sustainable aviation biofuels and air traffic management.

According to Boeing’s current market outlook report, China is estimated to require over 6,000 new airliners in the next two decades.

Sustainably produced biofuel is claimed to reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared with petroleum.

Defence Technology