Biodiesel

Background

Biodiesel is an alternative to diesel fuel based on oil extracted from plants and processed in a relatively simple manner to replace common diesel fuel. Biodiesel can be blended with diesel fuel or used as is in suitable diesel engines. It has significant environmental benefits (lower carbon emissions), and is becoming the alternative fuel of choice in Europe as well as gaining potential as a viable alternative in the US and other regions. 

The market for biodiesel has shown significant growth in the past few years, mainly in Europe and the US, due to environmental concerns, unstableness in the Middle East and rising oil prices.  Biodiesel use is currently exceeding 4.5 billion liters annually. In Europe alone, EU targets for 2010 are to replace 5.75% of transport fuel, which amounts to 19B liters (approximately 4 times current production levels). European and US governments are currently supporting market growth through research grants and various tax exemption schemes for biodiesel produced and sold. 

Canola and soybean are currently the main feedstock for biodiesel production, comprising over 60% of biodiesel production costs. Increasing demand for biodiesel and arable farm land for growing canola and soybean has resulted in rising edible oil prices and has also affected the price of non oil related commodities, such as wheat, sugar and milk. The importance of the feedstock (crop) in biodiesel production and recent rising in feedstock prices have strengthened the need for improved "biodiesel oriented" crops that would be more efficient and economically viable for the industry. 

Evogene is addressing the immediate and dire need for "biodiesel oriented" crops through a plant genomics approach utilizing advanced proprietary biotechnological tools that enable rapid and significant "leaps" in plant breeding.  

Evogene has currently two complementary ongoing projects aimed at developing improved oil yielding crops suitable for biodiesel production:

·          Increased yield (oil yield) of canola and soybean

·          Develop new crops (feedstock) for biodiesel

Biodiesel projects: