Company to develop commercial replacement for leaded general aviation gasoline
June 29, 2012
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. and SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Professionals in the aviation and energy sectors have formed a company to scale up production of a high-octane, unleaded, sustainable general aviation gasoline and bring it to market.
Swift Fuels LLC was created in partnership between Swift Development Renewable Fuels LLC and South Dakota-based RMB Energy LLC. Rob Broin, head of RMB Energy, is the interim CEO and Jon Ziulkowski from SDRF is COO. Swift Fuels LLC is based in the Purdue Research Park of West Lafayette.
Broin said Swift Fuels will be responsible for developing a market for 100SF, the company's unleaded general aviation gasoline.
"This includes completing the approval of 100SF by ASTM International and the Federal Aviation Administration for use in all airplanes currently fueled by 100LL, and beginning immediate production of 100SF for testing and commercial use," he said.
Ziulkowski said Broin has a proven track record in the alternative energy arena through his nearly two decades as a principal of Broin and Associates Inc., which is now part of POET LLC, one of the nation's largest ethanol manufacturers. Broin held the positions of president and CTO at Broin and Associates.
"With the added strength of Rob's vision and expertise, we can finally realize the vision for lead-free general aviation fuel that sustained Swift through many past challenges," Ziulkowski said. "We can all see a very tangible path to success for 100SF."
Broin explained why he was interested in working to develop 100SF.
"I was blessed to have played a role in establishing an industry that is responsible for reducing America's demand for foreign-sourced liquid motor fuel with a renewable product," he said. "In Swift Fuels we have a similar opportunity to replace an environmentally hazardous leaded product with a synthetic, high-performance, renewable fuel."
Ziulkowski spoke about milestones that 100SF already has achieved.
"With the publication of ASTM D7719 in May 2011, the industry is taking a proactive, forward-thinking approach to resolving the issues present with leaded general aviation fuels before the government is forced to impose a regulatory solution," he said. "Additionally, we are receiving tremendous cooperation from the FAA on our Cessna 172 Supplemental Type Certificate program."
About Swift Fuels LLC
Established in 2012, Swift Fuels was created in partnership between Swift Development Renewable Fuels LLC and South Dakota-based RMB Energy to scale up production of a high-octane, unleaded, sustainable general aviation gasoline and bring this fuel to market. Swift Fuels builds on the aviation fuels technology created by Swift Enterprises Ltd.
About Purdue Research Park
The Purdue Research Park, with four locations across Indiana, has the largest university-affiliated business incubation complex in the country. The parks are home to about 200 companies that employ 4,000 people and are located in West Lafayette, Indianapolis, Merrillville and New Albany.
Purdue Research Park contact: Steve Martin,
765-588-3342, sgmartin@prf.org
Sources: Rob Broin, 605-275-3700, admin@rmbassoc.com
Jon Ziulkowski, 765-464-8336 ex. 24, jon.ziulkowski@swiftfuels.com
