Corteva and bp this week announced the launch of Etlas, a joint venture to produce oil from crops – including canola, mustard and sunflower – for use in the production of biofuels like sustainable (or synthetic) aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (RD).

Etlas will be using feedstock from crops grown on existing cropland, between main food cropping seasons, which can help improve soil health while providing farmers with a new revenue stream.

Etlas will harness both Corteva’s century-long expertise in seed technology to develop crops ideally suited to produce SAF and RD as well as bp’s expertise in refining and marketing fuel for the commercial transportation market. Etlas aims to produce one million metric tonnes of feedstock per year by the mid-2030s, which could produce over 800 thousand tonnes of biofuel. Initial supply is scheduled to begin in 2027 for use in co-processing at refineries as well as at dedicated biofuels plants.

Ignacio Conti, Global Business Development Director at Corteva, has been chosed to be the new Etlas Chief Executive Officer and Gaurav Sonar, vice president, Novel Feedstocks at bp will be Chair of the Board of Directors.