Corteva, BP launch biofuel-feedstock joint venture

Photo: BP

Corteva Inc. announced Jan. 7 the launch of Etlas, its new 50/50 joint venture with BP that will produce oil from crops including canola, mustard and sunflower for use in the manufacturing biofuels like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel.

Etlas will harness both Corteva’s century-long expertise in seed technology to develop crops ideally suited to produce SAF and renewable diesel as well as BP’s expertise in refining and marketing fuel for the commercial transportation market.

Etlas aims to produce 1 million metric tons of feedstock per year by the mid-2030s, which could produce over 800 thousand tons of biofuel.

Initial supply is scheduled to begin in 2027 for use in coprocessing at refineries as well as at dedicated biofuels plants.

Leading industry estimates have global demand for SAF growing to as much as 10 million tons by 2030 from about 1 million tons in 2024, while global demand for renewable diesel could rise to as much as 35 million tons by 2030 from approximately 17 million tons in 2024.

Etlas is designed to provide a reliable, scalable supply of feedstock to help meet this expected demand. 

The feedstock Etlas uses will be harvested from crops that are grown on existing cropland, between main food-cropping seasons. 

Such intermediate crops can help improve soil health while providing farmers with a new revenue stream.

As they use existing cropland during times when it has previously been unproductive like a fallow or cover period, they also do not lead to additional demand for land.  

“By helping found Etlas, Corteva continues to deliver on two critical parts of our mission—to help fuel the world and to support farmers,” said Judd O’Connor, executive vice president of Corteva’s seed business unit. “Agriculture is part of the solution, and we are excited to see Etlas come to life.”

Philipp Schoelzel, BP’s senior vice president of biofuels growth, added, “This capital-light joint venture creates optionality in our biofuels value chain, strengthening our position and helping deliver attractive returns. We’re excited to collaborate with Corteva to deliver what our customers want.”

Ignacio Conti, Corteva’s global business-development director, will be the new Etlas CEO and Gaurav Sonar, BP’s vice president of novel feedstocks, will become its board chair.

“As the aviation industry looks for reliable, sustainable and cost-competitive sources of SAF, it is clear farmers have a critical role to play,” Conti said. “Etlas brings together global leaders in agriculture innovation and energy production to harness this demand by leveraging technological expertise and trusted relationships with farmers around the world to help scale production and boost supply while offering farmers new revenue streams.”