Boeing and Brazilian airplane manufacturer Embraer will begin working together to develop ideas and technology to enhance operations, safety and productivity. Currently the two companies are working together to develop aviation biofuels and extending its partnership is a good fit as competition between the two companies is next to nil. After all, Embraer’s largest airliners are barely as big as Boeing’s smallest.
The agreement signed between Boeing and Embraer marks the beginning of a partnership that should help both companies better compete with European rival consortium EADS, the parent of Airbus. Few specifics were given, but it’s expected the companies will share technology regarding aircraft efficiency and manufacturing, as well as further research on sustainable biofuels.
Last year the two companies agreed to jointly fund research into sugar cane based biofuels, a technology that is well developed elsewhere in the Brazilian transportation system. Boeing, Embraer and Airbus all joined forces last month in an effort to cooperate on the development of “drop-in” biofuels that will require no extra additives or modifications for airline use.
In addition to regional airliners that are slightly smaller than a Boeing 737, Embraer also makes jets all the way down to a small, 4-6 passenger business jet. Both companies are increasingly relying on the use of composites in new aircraft designs.
Beyond the stated intent to develop and share technology between the two companies, the Boeing-Embraer agreement coincided with the first visit of Brazil’s new President to Washington D.C. and is part of a larger push for economic cooperation between the two countries.
Photo of Boeing 767 and Embraer 170: EyeNo/Flickr
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