Winter canola - Bayer and Neste target renewable fuel growth
Bayer and Neste, a top producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to scale up winter canola as a biomass-based feedstock for biofuels and other renewable products.
The partnership aims to establish a winter canola ecosystem in the Southern Great Plains of the United States, focusing on product development and market expansion for Bayer.
“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 going forward,” said Frank Terhorst, Head of Strategy & Sustainability for Bayer’s Crop Science Division.
“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.”
Bayer plans to introduce hybrid TruFlex winter canola in 2027. Equipped with Roundup Ready and pod shatter resistance technology, it promises stability and performance.
As a rotational crop, winter canola enhances soil fertility by sequestering carbon, boosting organic matter, and improving water retention.
“We are excited to partner with Neste to enable profitable new crop options for farmers, while delivering on the unmet demand for renewable fuel,” said Jennifer Ozimkiewicz, Head of Crop Strategy Soy & Biofuels at Bayer’s Crop Science Division.
"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.”
Bayer and Neste, along with value chain partners and farmers, will introduce winter canola as a feedstock delivering lower carbon intensity fuels. A final agreement is expected in 2025.
“This collaboration with Bayer strengthens our strategy to develop together with value chain partners regenerative agriculture concepts that can be scaled up and can play an important role in diversifying and growing the raw materials pool for all of our renewable products,” said Artturi Mikkola, Senior Vice President Feedstock Sourcing & Trading at Neste.
Renewable fuels, offering lower carbon emissions than fossil fuels, play a vital role in decarbonization efforts, particularly in hard-to-electrify sectors like aviation. They also provide farmers with additional income streams through biomass cultivation.
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