Boeing (Chicago, Ill., U.S.) is strengthening its partnership with Japan by opening a new Boeing Research and Technology (BR&T) center, according to an Aug. 1 announcement. The facility will focus on sustainability and support a newly expanded cooperation agreement with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

Boeing and METI have agreed to broaden the 2019 Cooperation Agreement so that it includes a focus on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), electric and hydrogen powertrain technologies, and future flight concepts that will promote zero climate impact aviation. This is in addition to exploring electric and hybrid-electric propulsion, batteries and composites manufacturing that will enable new forms of urban mobility.

“We are excited to open our latest global research and technology center here in Japan,” Greg Hyslop, Boeing chief engineer and executive vice president of Engineering, Test and Technology, says. “Working with partners like METI, the new center will expand upon Boeing-wide initiatives in sustainable fuels and electrification, and explore the intersection of digitization, automation and high-performance aerospace composites for greater sustainability in our future products and production systems.”

The BR&T — Japan Research Center will be located in Nagoya, which is already home to many of Boeing’s major industrial partners and suppliers. The facility will further expand Boeing’s research and development (R&D) footprint in the region, which includes centers in Australia, China and Korea.

Boeing is fully committed to supporting Japan’s SAF industry and has been accepted as the latest member of ACT FOR SKY, a voluntary organization of 16 companies that works to commercialize, promote and expand the use of SAF produced in Japan. It was founded by Japan-based Boeing airline customers All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL), along with global engineering company JGC Holdings Corp. and biofuel producer Revo International.

In addition to becoming partners in ACT FOR SKY, Boeing has a long history of innovating with ANA and JAL on sustainable aviation, which includes pioneering SAF-powered flights and launching the 787 Dreamliner. Recently, the aerospace company has signed an agreement with ANA and JAL to work together to study advanced sustainable technologies, including electric, hybrid, hydrogen and other novel propulsion systems in an endeavor to reduce the carbon footprint of aircraft.

“To ensure the enormous societal benefits of aviation remain available for generations to come, we must continue to partner with capable innovators and leaders to support the industry’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Boeing Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Raymond adds. “We are humbled to join ACT FOR SKY and collaborate with other members to share global best practices and help with the scale-up and demand of SAF in Japan. And we are honored to open the Japan Research Center and expand our work with airline customers ANA and JAL on advanced technologies to realize zero climate impact aviation.”