Prospects for Camelina oil in advanced biofuel production
Camelina sativa is emerging as a key player in sustainable biofuel production, offering a viable alternative feedstock for advanced biofuels such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
Its short growing season, resilience to varying climates, and ability to thrive on marginal lands make it an attractive option for integration into agricultural rotations. Additionally, camelina requires minimal inputs, reducing the environmental footprint of its cultivation while maintaining compliance with sustainability standards like RED III and CORSIA.
With global demand for SAF rising due to decarbonisation mandates, traditional feedstock sources like Used Cooking Oil (UCO) are struggling to keep pace, creating a business opportunity for energy crops like camelina. Its oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and suitable for hydroprocessing via the HEFA pathway, can be seamlessly integrated into existing refinery infrastructure. Beyond its economic potential, camelina cultivation supports rural development and energy security while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To maximise its impact, supply chain improvements and supportive policies are essential to scale production and ensure a sustainable transition to biofuels.
Camelina sativa, commonly known as camelina or false flax, is an ancient oilseed crop belonging to the Brassicaceae family. Historically cultivated in Europe and Central Asia, camelina has recently garnered attention for its potential in sustainable biofuel production. Its agronomic characteristics, adaptability, and oil composition make it a promising candidate for renewable energy sources.
Agronomic Advantages
Camelina exhibits several agronomic traits that favour its cultivation:
Short Growing Season: Camelina matures in approximately 85–100 days, allowing for flexible integration into crop rotations and the possibility of multiple harvests per year.
Low Input Requirements: The crop thrives with minimal agricultural inputs, reducing the need for extensive fertilisation, irrigation, and pesticide application. Its natural resistance to common pests and diseases further diminishes reliance on chemical treatments.
Climate Resilience: Camelina is well-suited to temperate climates and can withstand moderate frosts, making it viable in regions with cooler temperatures and variable rainfall.
Soil Versatility: The crop can grow on marginal lands with lighter soils, offering an opportunity to utilise areas less suitable for other oilseeds.
Oil Composition and Advanced Biofuel Potential
Camelina seeds contain approximately 38–43% oil, characterised by a favourable fatty acid profile:
Omega-3 Content: The oil is rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid, comprising over 30% of its composition.
Saturated Fats: It has a low saturated fat content, enhancing its suitability for both nutritional and industrial applications.
These properties make camelina oil a viable feedstock for advanced biofuel production:
Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) Pathway: Camelina oil is used to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) via the widely adopted HEFA process.
Regulatory Compliance: To meet RED III and CORSIA sustainability standards, camelina must be cultivated as an intermediate crop, ensuring that it does not compete with food and feed production.
Growing Demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel
The demand for SAF is rapidly increasing due to global decarbonisation mandates, significantly outpacing supply. Existing feedstock sources are insufficient, creating an opportunity for high-margin alternative feedstocks derived from energy crops. The high infrastructure investment required for SAF production, particularly through HEFA processing in existing refineries, makes competition from vertically integrated agricultural companies unlikely.
Business Opportunity
Cultivating and supplying camelina oil to SAF producers presents a scalable and reliable alternative to current feedstocks such as used cooking oil (UCO). Camelina meets the sustainability criteria outlined in EU RED III and CORSIA, ensuring its viability as a SAF feedstock. The oil can be processed via hydroprocessing (HEFA) in existing refineries, which remains the most widely used technology for SAF production today.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
Integrating camelina into advanced biofuel production systems presents several advantages:
Greenhouse Gas Reduction: Utilising camelina-derived fuels can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.
Energy Security: Domestic cultivation of camelina for biofuels can reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, enhancing national energy security.
Rural Development: The crop's adaptability to marginal lands offers farmers additional income streams without competing with food crops, supporting rural economies.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite its potential, several challenges must be addressed to fully realise camelina's role in advanced biofuel production:
Integration as a Cover Crop: Ensuring that camelina is cultivated within food crop rotations is crucial for maintaining compliance with sustainability regulations, such as RED III and CORSIA. Proper integration enhances soil health, prevents land use change conflicts, and maximises overall agricultural efficiency.
Supply Chain Development: Establishing efficient logistics for processing and distributing camelina-based SAF and HVO is crucial for market viability.
Policy Support: Government incentives and supportive policies can encourage investment in camelina cultivation and biofuel infrastructure.
Camelina sativa holds significant promise as a sustainable feedstock for advanced biofuel production. Its agronomic advantages, adaptability to various growing conditions, and favourable oil composition position it as a valuable crop for renewable energy initiatives.
