Bunge, GDM launch Enerseed to develop new oilseeds for biofuels
The partnership will accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation, non-traditional oilseed crops for the growing low-carbon renewable fuels market.
USA/ARGENTINA – Bunge, a global agribusiness and food ingredients company, and GDM, an international plant genetics company, have established a strategic joint venture, Enerseed, to develop and commercialize novel oilseed crops for the growing low-carbon renewable fuels market.
The partnership aims to accelerate the development of next-generation, non-traditional oilseeds that can provide sustainable feedstocks for biofuel production.
Enerseed will combine GDM’s expertise in plant genetics, breeding, research and development (R&D), trait development and gene-editing technologies with Bunge’s global agricultural supply chain, processing infrastructure and market access.
The collaboration is designed to establish an integrated value chain covering seed development, crop production, processing and the delivery of renewable fuel feedstocks to customers worldwide.
The initial seed development projects are expected to begin in selected markets, with potential expansion into other regions as the crops mature and commercial opportunities develop.
Although the companies have not disclosed the specific oilseed varieties targeted or the initial production locations, the initiative will focus on building a portfolio of promising non-traditional oilseeds suited to the renewable energy sector.
The proposed crops are expected to deliver environmental benefits, including improved soil health, reduced soil erosion, nitrogen fixation and lower water requirements.
By introducing alternative oilseed varieties into existing farming systems, the venture aims to support more sustainable agricultural production while diversifying the supply of raw materials available to renewable fuel manufacturers.
For farmers, the initiative could create additional income opportunities through crop diversification and the utilization of fallow periods.
Growing non-traditional oilseeds would provide producers with alternative cropping options, access to emerging agricultural value chains and opportunities to benefit from premium markets associated with lower-carbon feedstocks.
The partnership also seeks to strengthen connections between agricultural producers, processors and renewable fuel customers.
Julio Garros, Chief Operating Officer of Bunge, said the partnership represents another step in the company’s efforts to support decarbonization across global supply chains.
He highlighted the importance of combining GDM’s genetic innovation capabilities with Bunge’s international market presence to unlock opportunities for farmers and customers across the food, feed and fuel industries.
Ignacio Bartolome, Chief Executive Officer of GDM, said the collaboration would extend the company’s genetic innovation expertise into new crops and markets that can contribute to the transition towards more sustainable energy.
Through its research platform and advanced breeding technologies, GDM intends to accelerate the development of oilseed varieties suited to emerging renewable fuel applications.
Enerseed will also adopt an open licensing model, making its intellectual property available to qualified partners.
These include seed companies, universities, research institutions and technology developers interested in advancing oilseed genetics, cultivation techniques and end-use applications.
The approach is intended to encourage wider industry participation, accelerate research and support the commercialization of new feedstocks at scale.
The joint venture comes amid growing interest in alternative agricultural feedstocks as renewable fuel producers seek to diversify raw material supplies and reduce the carbon intensity of their operations.
By connecting genetic innovation with established agricultural processing and distribution infrastructure, Bunge and GDM aim to establish new opportunities across the global renewable fuels value chain.
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