Repsol, Bunge incorporate intermediate crops for SAF production in EU

Spanish energy and petrochemicals company Repsol and agribusiness company Bunge Global announced that they have successfully incorporated camelina and safflower* to be used as feedstock for production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and conventional diesel fuel.

“Renewable fuels are a fundamental pillar for Repsol on our road to becoming zero net emissions by 2050, and intermediate crops must play a key role in guaranteeing the supply of the low-carbon feedstocks necessary to produce these fuels,” said Juan Abascal, Repsol’s executive managing director of Industrial Transformation and Circular Economy.

Inclusion of intermediate crops will pave the way for more diversification of SAF production feedstocks. Repsol will utilize advanced technology in its industrial assets to convert these oils into renewable fuel, creating a new pathway for the development of renewable fuels in Spain.

“We are committed to be the best-in-class partner to provide innovative solutions and support farmers efforts in low-carbon agriculture,” said Julio Garros, co-president, agribusiness at Bunge.

Researchers have highlighted immense potential of oil produced from camelina for production of SAF. Researchers think that camelina could help solve not one but two environmental problems at once.

While cutting the carbon footprint of aviation in line with international attempts to combat climate change, it could also replenish agricultural soils that have lost their fertility due to intensive farming and degradation caused by erosion and drought. As such, it can be grown during periods of time when agricultural land needs rest to replenish nutrients.

Earlier in October last year, US-based Montana Renewables delivered an initial shipment of SAF to Detroit Metropolitan Airport produced from camelina oil.

*Correction: An earlier version of this article mentioned sunflower instead of safflower. We regret the mistake.