"With the aviation industry committed to developing sustainable biofuels, there appears to be huge potential in this area, both for producers, and for the province as a whole in downstream processing," said Mike Cey, Ag-West Bio's vice-president for corporate and business development, in a written statement.
The feasibility study will include interviews with industry experts and prospective customers, and a review the current bio-fuel and aviation bio-fuel research.
The two crops showing the most promise are Camelina sativa (camelina) and Brassica carinata (carinata), the organization said.
Based on these crops, three key commercial activities critical for developing a sustainable business will be evaluated:
1. Production of dedicated industrial oilseed crops – camelina and carinata.
2. Crushing and processing of camelina and carinata oils to produce “Drop-In” bio-based jet fuel.
* Drop-in fuel means the specifications of the bio-based jet fuel are the same as petroleum based jet fuel and no special storage or handling is required. This is a key requirement of the airline industry.
3. Seamless logistics and infrastructure for the end-use commercial customer.
The project will determine the potential benefit to producers, opportunities for accompanying processing and refining businesses, and for Saskatchewan’s economy.
“It is critical that the feasibility of this opportunity be confirmed early in order to map out the best path forward in developing this emerging industry,” the organization said.
"Mustard producers have invested research money into the development of carinata as a cropping option, but we need to know that the crop can be profitable for producers as well as all segments of the value chain," said Kevin Hursh, executive director of the Saskatchewan Mustard Development Commission.
The study is being undertaken with the support of Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada’s CAAP (Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program) funding, administered through ACS (Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan).
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