Sustainability

Nonfood crops target biofuel demand

Aug. 10, 2023

Replacement for soybeans and corn

As soybeans and corn struggle to feed the world, scientists are exploring nonfood crops as sources for the oils required to make renewable fuels such as biodiesel.

The Wall Street Journal reports that CoverCress has developed a breed of field pennycress that contains more oil than a soybean. The company suggests using the plant in harvest off seasons as a cover crop to not only source oils for alternative fuels, but also to fight erosion and bring in cash.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has provided funding to CoverCress and two other cover crops: Nuseed Carinata and camelina, marketed by Global Clean Energy Holdings.

The paper reports that some oil companies have agreements in place to buy oil from the plants for use in biofuels.

Rod Sutton

Sutton has served as the editorial lead of Construction Equipment magazine and ConstructionEquipment.com since 2001.

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