By Alice McFarlane

Developing Feedstocks for Renewable Fuels

Jan 10, 2025 | 2:54 PM

Bayer and Neste, a producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly scale winter canola as a biomass-based feedstock for renewable products like biofuels.

The companies are going to develop winter canola in the Southern Great Plains of the U.S., including product development and additional collaborations to enable Bayer to enter this market.

Bayer’s Crop Science Division Head of Strategy & Sustainability Frank Terhorst said renewable fuels are playing an important role in the decarbonization of transportation and energy while global targets continue to shape biofuel markets and accelerate demand for biomass-based feedstocks.

“We are committed to supporting farmers’ ability to deliver low-carbon feedstocks on demand, through investments in new crops like winter canola and advancements in sustainable cropping systems,” he said.

Bayer will launch hybrid TruFlex winter canola in 2027. It offers benefits to farmers as it includes Roundup Ready and pod shatter resistance technology. Used as a new alternative rotational crop, winter canola helps sequester carbon in the soil and can improve soil health by increasing its organic matter content and water-holding capacity, leading to enhanced soil fertility and productivity.

Community events

PAGC Battle of Nations returns to Art Hauser Centre

13h ago

Budget 2025

Halfway through budget talks, council makes few changes

Jan 09, 2025

Crime

Cocaine and cash seized during bust at Prince Albert business

Jan 09, 2025

Jennifer Ozimkiewicz, head of Crop Strategy Soy & Biofuels at Bayer’s Crop Science Division said they are excited to partner with Neste to enable profitable new crop options for farmers, while delivering on the unmet demand for renewable fuel.

“We believe our next generation TruFlex products will provide farmers a new profitable rotational crop option, while offering potential sustainability benefits such as increased biodiversity, soil health and agronomic rotation to reduce pest, disease and weed pressure. Bayer is committed to continue to lead the way with alternative biomass-based feedstocks and regenerative agricultural solutions,” Ozimkiewicz said.

Leading up to launch, Bayer will work with Neste, the value chain, and farmers to introduce winter canola as a biomass-based feedstock that delivers fuel with lower carbon intensity than traditional fuel sources. Bayer and Neste expect to finalize a definitive agreement in 2025.

Renewable fuels have a lower carbon intensity than fossil fuels and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle compared to traditional fossil fuels, playing a key role in mitigating climate change. They can also provide farmers with new revenue streams through the cultivation of biomass-based feedstocks.

—

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @farmnewsNOW