Ash Creek Renewables expands global reach with exclusive camelina-seed licenses, ‘Forks and Fuels’ initiative

Tailwater Capital LLC announced March 20 that one of its portfolio companies, Ash Creek Renewables, has secured exclusive licensing rights from Montana State University for a new high-performance camelina-seed variety.  

Camelina is a low-carbon crop that grows with minimal inputs, supports soil health and provides farmers with an additional revenue stream while integrating into existing agricultural systems.  

It is increasingly sought after as feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and biomass-based diesel, offering a scalable solution to meet the growing demand for renewable fuels.  

This breakthrough marks a significant step forward in Ash Creek’s “Forks and Fuels” initiative, which advances the use of camelina as a scalable, low-carbon feedstock for renewable fuels and biodegradable materials. 

With the new seed license, Ash Creek is expanding its Montana-based growing operations in 2025 following its success in 2024.  

The company has also expanded internationally, launching camelina-planting efforts in Argentina with its partner Elementa Foods while exploring additional low-carbon feedstock opportunities. 

“This license is a game-changer for Ash Creek,” said John Cusick, CEO of Ash Creek. “It enables us to scale production while driving innovation in sustainable agriculture and the circular economy.”  

Ash Creek is also expanding its camelina-processing operations and establishing an office in Montana through a strategic collaboration with Ag Processing Solutions Inc.   

This facility will support increased production of camelina meal and oil, accelerating Ash Creek’s ability to deliver high-quality feedstock for biofuels and sustainable bioplastics. 

As part of its biodegradable-solutions initiative, Ash Creek has developed proprietary formulations to convert camelina meal into bioplastics, offering industries such as aviation, cruise lines and food service an affordable and ecofriendly alternative to traditional single-use plastics.     

“Airlines are highly focused on common-sense sustainability, and Ash Creek provides scalable solutions for airlines’ fuel and plasticware challenges,” Cusick said. 

Ash Creek’s Forks and Fuels initiative embodies its broader vision for sustainability, demonstrating how a single crop, camelina, can power multiple industries. 

• Camelina oil is a scalable, low carbon-intensity feedstock for renewable fuel and SAF, reinforcing the aviation sector’s efforts to reduce emissions. 

• Camelina meal is transformed into compostable bioplastics, reducing single-use plastic waste and creating a closed-loop system that benefits both industry and the environment. 

With these advancements, Ash Creek said it is reshaping the future of renewable feedstocks, reinforcing its commitment to scalability, innovation and sustainability across agriculture, energy and industrial materials.