Energy major bp and agricultural technology group Corteva have announced the launch of Etlas, a new 50:50 joint venture designed to develop seed-based feedstocks for next-generation biofuels, including sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. The platform is intended to address one of the most pressing constraints facing biofuel markets: the availability of reliable, scalable, and sustainable feedstock.

The announcement comes as global demand for low-carbon fuels accelerates, driven by aviation decarbonisation targets and tighter fuel standards across road transport and logistics.

Meeting Rapidly Rising Biofuel Demand

According to bp and Corteva, demand for sustainable aviation fuel is expected to increase sharply over the next decade. Global SAF consumption is projected to rise from around 1 million tonnes in 2024 to as much as 10 million tonnes by 2030. Over the same period, demand for renewable diesel is expected to double, reaching approximately 35 million tonnes.

These growth trajectories have intensified pressure on the biofuel value chain, particularly upstream, where feedstock availability has become a limiting factor. Etlas is positioned to help close this gap by building a dedicated supply of oilseed-based feedstock tailored specifically for biofuel production.

Combining Seed Innovation and Fuel Expertise

The Etlas platform will focus on producing oil from crops such as sunflower, mustard, and canola, which can be processed into SAF and renewable diesel. Corteva will contribute its expertise in seed genetics and crop development, with the aim of optimising varieties for high oil yield, agronomic performance, and suitability for biofuel conversion. bp will bring its experience in fuel refining, distribution, and commercial markets, linking agricultural production directly to end-use demand.

Leadership of the new venture reflects this dual focus. Etlas will be led by Ignacio Conti, Corteva’s Global Business Development Director, as chief executive officer, with Gaurav Sonar, bp’s Vice President of Novel Feedstocks, serving as chair of the board.

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Farmers as a Central Part of the SAF Transition

Etlas is designed to integrate farmers into the biofuel transition by creating new revenue streams without displacing food production. The companies emphasised that the crops used for feedstock will be grown on existing agricultural land between main food crop seasons, rather than competing directly with food crops for acreage.

This approach allows intermediate or rotational crops to be harvested for biofuel feedstock while delivering additional agronomic benefits. According to bp and Corteva, these include improvements in soil health and land productivity, alongside diversification of farm income.

Ignacio Conti highlighted the strategic role of agriculture in aviation decarbonisation, noting that reliable and cost-competitive SAF supply depends on scalable farming solutions that work for growers as well as fuel producers.

Scaling Toward Commercial Impact

The companies expect Etlas to begin supplying feedstock for biofuel production from 2027. Over the longer term, the platform is targeting production of around one million metric tonnes of feedstock per year by the mid-2030s. At that scale, Etlas could enable the production of more than 800,000 tonnes of biofuel annually, contributing meaningfully to SAF and renewable diesel supply.

From bp’s perspective, the joint venture provides flexibility within its biofuels value chain. Philipp Schoelzel, bp’s Senior Vice President for Biofuels Growth, described Etlas as a capital-light structure that strengthens optionality while supporting attractive returns as demand for low-carbon fuels expands.

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Why Etlas Matters for the Energy Transition

The launch of Etlas reflects a broader shift in biofuels strategy, moving beyond refinery capacity toward securing sustainable upstream inputs. As SAF mandates tighten and airlines face mounting pressure to decarbonise, feedstock availability is emerging as a decisive factor in whether supply can scale fast enough.

By aligning seed technology, farming practices, and fuel production within a single platform, bp and Corteva are attempting to reduce one of the key bottlenecks in the biofuels market. If successful, Etlas could become a model for how agriculture and energy companies collaborate to support the next phase of low-carbon fuel growth.

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