{"id":258629,"date":"2025-05-26T21:42:20","date_gmt":"2025-05-26T21:42:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/agriculture\/aussie-crops-the-future-of-fuel\/"},"modified":"2025-05-26T21:42:20","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T21:42:20","slug":"aussie-crops-the-future-of-fuel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=258629","title":{"rendered":"Aussie crops: the future of fuel\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Planes departing Australian soil could soon be powered by plants grown in the very same soil.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

A relatively new plant to Australia called Carinata<\/a> is changing the biofuels industry, and trials are happening now west of the Great Dividing Range.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cotton growers have been giving it a go as a rotation crop.<\/p>\n

The results are pretty golden so far. <\/p>\n

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Carinata in flower. Image: Nufarm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Carinata oil, when refined, is considered a \u2018drop-in\u2019 replacement for existing fossil fuels: the biofuel can be used without updating or retrofitting current machines, and blends with existing fossil fuels. <\/p>\n

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Biofuels: replacement fossil fuels, usually bioethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel and\u00a0sustainable aviation fuels, made out of sustainable biogenic resources. Everything from wood offcuts, to agricultural by-products, used cooking oil or beef tallow and even algae can be turned into biofuels.<\/p>\n

Queensland Government\u2019s definition of Biofuels<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Cream of the Crop<\/h2>\n

Carinata looks similar to canola; bright yellow flowers on towering green stems.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s grown in winter and suits drier soil types.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Carinata seeds. Image: Nufarm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

It boasts lower water needs than Canola, due to a longer rootstock. \u00a0<\/p>\n

The crop is being pitched\u00a0as an emerging option for broadacre farmers over winter.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Having a \u2018cover crop\u2019 is being adopted by many growers looking to reduce topsoil losses, in between their traditional cropping seasons.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The oil from the Brassica family plant is classed as non-food: unlike Canola, it can\u2019t be consumed by humans.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Harvest and crushing<\/h2>\n

Currently, once matured and harvested, Carinata is shipped to Europe for processing. There are no operational processing facilities in Australia yet. <\/p>\n

The grain is processed into two products: biofuel, and high protein plant feed for stock.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Boggabri\u2019s Carrigan family took part in last year\u2019s Carinata trial. They say it was a positive experience. Image: Nufarm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Biofuel use has already been written into EU\u2019s aviation fuel regulations, and Asia has indicated it will follow. <\/p>\n

In Australia, Qantas has committed to using 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in its overall fuel mix by 2030. \u00a0<\/p>\n

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Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Produced from sustainable feedstocks and is very similar in its chemistry to traditional fossil jet fuel.\u00a0<\/p>\n

BP\u2019s definition of Sustainable Aviation Fuel<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The aviation industry<\/a> has shown serious interest in Carinata-derived biofuel. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Plant Power<\/h2>\n

The plant\u2019s pre-commercial trials in Australia are being overseen by Nufarm.<\/p>\n

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Carinata is similar to canola, but has lower water needs. Image: Nufarm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rachel Palumbo is Nufarm\u2019s Global General Manager for seeds, and is hopeful Australia could become a world-leader.<\/p>\n

\u201cAustralia has the land, resources, and expertise to lead in renewable fuels, sustainable agriculture, and homegrown manufacturing,\u201d she said. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIn South America, farmers already produce low-carbon fuel at scale.\u00a0With the right support Australian growers can do the same.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Growers benefit from having a profitable break crop that improves soil health<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Carinata before flowering. Image: Nufarm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Government support needed<\/h2>\n

Earlier this year, the Australian Government announced it would invest $250 million into low-carbon liquid fuels.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis funding will drive innovation and open new opportunities for farmers to supply feedstocks like Carinata,\u201d Ms Palumbo said. \u00a0<\/p>\n

The Queensland Government has also shown interest in the blooming industry, recently commissioning Deloitte to review global SAF markets.<\/p>\n

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Biofuel use has been written into EU laws<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The 2024 report<\/a> found:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAustralia\u2019s SAF industry is still in its infancy and this is unlikely to change on the scale needed to support decarbonisation without government intervention and a proactive industry.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ms Palumbo also pointed to government-driven SAF mandates as a crucial step to fostering a\u00a0local biofuels industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need a clear policy framework so Australian-grown biofuels can support local industries, just as Australian-grown canola already does for European biofuels.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a proven, sustainable, and scalable option for securing our fuel future while supporting growers and cutting emissions,\u201d Ms Palumbo said. <\/p>\n

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A plane flies over a Carinata crop. Image: ChatGPT<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n