Boeing, Embraer To Collaborate on ecoDemonstrator Tests

Boeing and Embraer have signed a memorandum of understanding to use an Embraer airplane as an ecoDemonstrator platform some time next year, the companies announced Tuesday. Frederico Curado, president and CEO of Embraer, and Marc Allen, president of Boeing International, signed the agreement at the Brazil-U.S. Business Summit organized by the Brazil-U.S. Business Council. The June 30 business summit, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, occurred during an official visit by Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff with U.S. President Barack Obama.

Boeing launched its ecoDemonstrator Program in 2011 to accelerate testing and use of new technologies that can reduce fuel use, carbon emissions and noise. The company has so far tested more than 50 technologies with a 737-800, 787 Dreamliner and, currently, a 757.

The ecoDemonstrator cooperation between Boeing and Embraer builds on relationship that began in 2012. Since then, the manufacturers have worked together to improve runway safety and support Embraer’s KC-390 defense aircraft program.

Just this year Boeing and Embraer opened a joint biofuel research center in São José dos Campos, Brazil, to perform biofuel research and coordinate research with Brazilian universities and other institutions.

Boeing has worked with suppliers, airlines and government agencies on previous ecoDemonstrator flight tests. Those technologies include a new winglet and "bug-phobic" wing coatings that can improve aerodynamic efficiency, software applications that can improve in-flight efficiency and new types of sustainable aviation biofuel.

Embraer incorporates environmental requisites into product development through its Environmentally Sustainable Products Program.