Biofuels

High-yielding canola for biodiesel

Biofuels can help significantly to conserve finite resources and counteract global climate change.

The growing global demand for biofuels is leading to a distinct increase in the use of agricultural raw materials to produce plant-based fuels. Bayer CropScience markets a comprehensive range of crop protection products for the major energy crops sugar cane, corn and wheat, all used to produce bioethanol and oilseed crops such as canola and soybeans which are used to produce biodiesel.

One approach to respond to the acreage competition involves the inedible jatropha plant. It flourishes in soil that is unsuitable for food production. Jatropha seed is over 30 percent oil, which can be used as a raw material for biodiesel. Bayer CropScience is planning to cooperate in a research project with partners to drive the use of jatropha-based biodiesel. The company’s particular know-how regarding the question of a future-oriented, economically efficient cultivation of this crop will be proving very useful.