Boeing, airline Aeromexico and the Mexican airports authority will collaborate on research and development of “sustainable” aviation biofuel in Mexico. The Mexican government and participating institutions will fund the effort for four years.

Announced on February 24, the collaboration involves 17 companies and institutions that include Mexico’s state-owned Pemex petroleum company, the Mexican Petroleum Institute and a research university in Abu Dhabi, in addition to Boeing and Aeromexico. The Potosinian Institute of Scientific and Technological Research in San Luis Potosi will lead the effort.

The organizations expect to study aviation biofuel feedstocks including jatropha, salt-tolerant Salicornia and sewage sludge, according to the announcement. Research will focus on biomass sourcing, fuel production, sustainability and market development.

Representatives of Boeing, Aeromexico, the Airports and Auxiliary Services (ASA) agency and the Potosinian institute launched the effort at a ceremony in Mexico City. Boeing, ASA and the airline laid claim to conducting the first commercial transatlantic flight to use biofuel in August 2011, flying an Aeromexico 777-200ER from Mexico City to Madrid.

Boeing currently has active biofuel projects in the U.S., Australia, Brazil, China, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa and Southeast Asia. In December, the manufacturer signed a memorandum of understanding with Alaska Airlines and the Port of Seattle to assess the feasibility of delivering both biofuel and conventional fuel at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.