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ADM, Syngenta Group team up to meet growing demand for biofuels

ADM and Syngenta Group have signed an agreement to explore the commercialization of low-carbon oilseeds to help meet the increase in demand for biofuels.

Barrett Barr, head of business development for Syngenta Seeds, says they are targeting winter crops, like Camelina, that are typically grow in the fallow period of a rotation.

“We know there’s not that many acres of land that are open that are available to be planted in soybeans in addition to the 90 million acres that we have today,” he said. “So, we need to think of other solutions that can help farmers to meet these growing energy needs but not displacing corn or wheat or other crops that are being planted today.”

Global demand for biofuels is expected to grow by 35 billion litres per year, or 22%, over the 2022-2027 period, according to the International Energy Association.

Barr tells Brownfield the new memorandum of understanding will accelerate the research and processing of oilseeds that have low carbon-intensity scores.

“That’s very attractive to these energy companies as they’re trying to source or pick which types of feedstocks they want to supply their renewable diesel or aviation fuel plants.”

The companies are expected to sign definitive agreements by the end of the year and have already been collaborating on next-generation varieties.