New digital platform links farmers and ethanol plants for low CI goals
BASF has introduced Circalo: Low Carbon Intensity Crops, a new digital platform designed to connect farmers, agronomists, and ethanol producers. The goal is to help them measure and reduce agricultural carbon intensity (CI) as new regulations like the Clean Fuel Production Credit (Section 45Z) are introduced.
The platform uses xarvio FIELD MANAGER and xarvio BIOENERGY tools to collect farm-level data and convert it into verified information. This data can then be used by ethanol plants to support low-carbon fuel production strategies.
As the ethanol industry prepares 45Z, carbon intensity is becoming an important factor in determining profits and market access. Farmers already use practices such as covering crops, reduced tillage, and better nutrient management, which can lower carbon emissions. However, ethanol producers need reliable systems to measure and verify these efforts.
Circalo helps solve this problem by collecting data through agronomists and organizing it into standardized reports. This allows biorefineries to track the carbon intensity of crops and improve their overall sustainability performance. The system also includes third-party verification to meet regulatory requirements.
"Farming doesn't happen in a vacuum, it's a broad system where every choice has ripple effects throughout the value chain," said Chad Asmus, Sustainability Market Development Manager for BASF Agricultural Solutions. "We have developed Circalo: Low Carbon Intensity Crops to combine agronomic expertise with economic opportunity, so farmers can potentially receive new revenue and recognition for their conservation practices."
The platform also allows ethanol plants to create their own low-carbon programs and work closely with farmers. This helps improve trust and long-term relationships in the supply chain.
"45Z changes the conversation for ethanol," said Jeff Carver, xarvio BIOENERGY Key Account Manager for BASF. "Carbon intensity is no longer just a reporting exercise; it's a business driver. Circalo: Low Carbon Intensity Crops is built to help ethanol plants work directly with the agronomy partners and farmer networks to document real, measurable ag practices so the data flows seamlessly and securely."
Circalo is ready for the 2026 growing season and can also use data from 2025. It is designed to adapt to future updates from government agencies, making it a flexible solution for the evolving biofuel industry.
Photo Credit: istock-chas53