Life Cycle Analysis of Camelina-based Renewable Jet Fuel Shows 84 Percent CO2 Emissions Reduction Compared to Petroleum Fuel

BOZEMAN, MT -- Renewable fuels company Sustainable Oils announces the results of a life cycle analysis (LCA) of jet fuel created from camelina seeds developed by the company, which shows that the renewable fuel reduces carbon emissions by 84 percent compared to petroleum jet fuel. The research, in collaboration with UOP, a Honeywell company, was conducted at Michigan Tech University, a leading research university. The study was based on camelina grown in Montana and processed into biojet fuel using UOP hydroprocessing technology.

"The quickest way to reduce carbon emissions from aviation is to begin replacing petroleum fuel with fuel made from renewable and sustainable camelina oil," says Scott Johnson, general manager of Sustainable Oils.

"Camelina is one of the most promising sources for renewable fuels that we've seen," says Billy Glover, managing director, Environmental Strategy, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "It performed as good if not better than traditional jet fuel during our test flight with Japan Airlines earlier this year, and supports our goal of accelerating the market availability of sustainable, renewable fuel sources that can help aviation reduce emissions. It's clear from the LCA results that camelina is one of the leading near-term options and, even better, it's available today."

"The data shows the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions of using camelina in this manner is 84 percent," says David Shonnard, Robbins Chair Professor of Chemical Engineering at Michigan Tech University. "Camelina green jet exhibits one the largest greenhouse gas emission reduction of any agricultural feedstock-derived biofuel I've ever seen. This high number is the result of the unique attributes of the crop – its low fertilizer requirements, high oil yield and the use of co-products, such as meal and biomass, for other uses."