Bayer advances renewable fuel feedstocks with acquisition of Smart Earth Camelina Corp.’s germplasm

CANADA – Bayer, global farm chemicals and seeds producer has announced a strategic acquisition of Canada-based Smart Earth Camelina Corp.’s germplasm, intellectual property, and related materials.

This move reinforces Bayer’s commitment to advancing biomass-based feedstocks, as it aims to decarbonize the transportation sector and promote regenerative agriculture.

According to Bayer, the investment will support the development of intermediate oilseed crops to meet the rising demand for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is projected to increase from 14 billion to 40 billion gallons by 2040.

Camelina, a novel intermediate oilseed crop, offers significant potential due to its low-carbon intensity for renewable fuels.

Capable of being cultivated in both spring and winter, the crop provides a promising solution for sustainable biofuel production. Bayer plans to leverage its expertise in oilseeds to further develop camelina as part of its growing portfolio of biomass-based feedstocks.

We are committed to supporting farmers’ ability to deliver on growing demand for low-carbon biomass-based feedstocks through investments and development of new intermediate oilseed crops like camelina and advancing sustainable cropping systems,” said Frank Terhorst, Head of Strategy & Sustainability at Bayer’s Crop Science Division.

Bayer is going to continue to lead the way with alternative biomass-based feedstocks and regenerative agricultural solutions.”

As the transportation sector faces decarbonization challenges, particularly in aviation and marine industries where electrification is less feasible, biofuels offer a vital solution.

Produced from renewable organic materials such as corn, soy, canola, and novel oilseed crops like camelina, biofuels can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. Additionally, they present new revenue opportunities for farmers through the cultivation of these biomass-based feedstocks.

Jennifer Ozimkiewicz, Head of Crop Strategy Soy & Biofuels at Bayer’s Crop Science Division, highlighted the advantages of camelina.  

We are excited about the acquisition of camelina germplasm from Smart Earth Camelina Corp. This enables us to offer farmers a profitable low-carbon intermediate crop option. Camelina is a short-season and drought-tolerant crop, offering growers an alternative low-input crop for marginal land or to be grown in-between crops,” Ozimkiewicz noted.

On his part, Jack Grushcow, President and CEO of Smart Earth Camelina Corp., emphasized the strategic significance of the acquisition.

“Smart Earth Camelina Corp. has been at the forefront of camelina development for over 20 years, and camelina is now poised to join the ranks of other major oilseed crops. We believe Bayer is the ideal party to scale camelina production to a level that drives meaningful advancements in sustainable agriculture and significantly reduces global CO2 emissions,” he said.

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