Corteva, BP partner to develop low carbon-intensity feedstock for SAF production

Corteva Inc. announced Nov. 18 a collaboration with BP on the companies’ shared intent to form a crop-based biofuel feedstock joint venture.

The joint venture envisaged by Corteva and BP would produce and deliver crop-based biofuel feedstocks to help meet the anticipated growth in demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

A number of countries around the world have, or are in the process of implementing, mandates or tax incentives to promote the decarbonization of the aviation sector.

In the EU a SAF mandate begins in 2025 that will require fuel uplift at EU airports to contain at least 20 percent SAF by 2035 and 70 percent by 2050.

To help meet this demand, Corteva and BP have executed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with the intent of forming a joint venture that would aim to progressively scale up volume, reaching delivery of 1 million metric tons per year of biofuel feedstocks for SAF production by the mid-2030s.

Corteva plans to contract with farmers in North and South America and Europe to grow proprietary Corteva mustard seed, sunflower and canola feedstocks well-suited for SAF production.

These crops are integral to large-scale agriculture around the world.

The joint venture would aim to introduce new cropping systems to produce oil that meets EU RED III criteria and qualifies for U.S. low carbon-intensity policy incentives, while creating a new revenue stream for farmers.

“This partnership is proof positive that agriculture can continue to be part of the solution to the world’s decarbonization opportunities, including by leveraging Corteva’s technology, global scale, and unique grower relationships,” said Brook Cunningham, Corteva’s chief strategy officer. “We are excited at the prospect of partnering with BP to help the European airline industry become more sustainable while giving farmers a new source of income.”

Emma Delaney, BP’s executive vice president of customers and products, added, “We see great potential in a partnership with Corteva—together, we are well-positioned to deliver value through leveraging Corteva’s technology and grower relationships and BP’s refining and trading capabilities.”

The two companies anticipate finalizing definitive agreements in 2025 with the target operational date for the joint venture later in the year.