Nufarm has entered into a new research and development (R&D) collaboration with bp to accelerate the development of biomass oil technology for bioenergy applications. This strategic partnership follows Nufarm’s earlier announcement of a collaboration with a consortium of world-class research partners, which lays the groundwork for the joint development agreement. The aim of this collaboration is to advance biomass oil technology for oil production from the vegetative parts of crop plants, such as leaves and stems. This has the potential to significantly increase the availability of sustainable feedstocks for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is a key component in efforts to reduce carbon emissions from aviation.

The collaboration leverages the complementary expertise of Nufarm in crop improvement and bp’s advanced capabilities in fuel processing and technology. Together, they plan to develop a scalable biomass oil platform that can tap into crops that produce high amounts of biomass. Nufarm has already made significant strides in this area, with a focus on high-biomass crops such as energy cane and forage sorghum, which are well-suited to producing the oils required for bioenergy applications. This breakthrough in biomass oil technology is a promising step toward providing more sustainable alternatives to traditional jet fuel, in line with global biofuel development goals.

This collaboration comes at a time when the demand for SAF is increasing, driven by the need to decarbonize sectors that are hard to abate, like aviation. According to the ReFuelEU Aviation Legislation, SAF currently accounts for about 0.5% of global jet fuel production in the European Union. However, the EU has set ambitious targets for SAF production, including a mandate that 2% of fuel at EU airports should be SAF by 2025. By 2035, the target is set to rise to at least 20%, with a goal of achieving 70% SAF by 2050. These targets are a direct response to the growing urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet climate goals.

Greg Hunt, CEO of Nufarm, highlighted that this collaboration enhances the company’s commitment to a novel, sustainable, and scalable oils strategy. The technology developed through this collaboration will support the commercialization of biofuels in agricultural markets that are typically underserved by traditional farming. Hunt stressed that the new platform holds the potential to revolutionize the production of oils from crops and provide a new, sustainable source for biofuels, helping to meet global energy and climate goals.

Nigel Dunn, senior vice president of biofuels at bp, emphasized the critical role biofuels will play in decarbonizing aviation and other hard-to-abate sectors. Dunn expressed excitement about expanding the collaboration with Nufarm and tapping into their complementary strengths. He pointed out that Nufarm’s deep expertise in crop development and bp’s leadership in fuel technology would allow both companies to unlock the full potential of biomass oil technology. He also highlighted the successful collaboration between Nufarm and bp in developing cover crops like carinata, which are part of efforts to scale up biofuel production.

The increasing global demand for biofuels is being fueled by policy mandates, climate change concerns, and the need to access sustainable sources of energy. This collaboration between Nufarm and bp underscores the importance of partnering with key players in the bioenergy sector to drive innovation and develop solutions to meet these challenges. By working together, Nufarm and bp are making significant strides in advancing sustainable biofuels and helping to address the growing need for renewable energy sources that can reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.