Corteva Inc. and bp have launched Etlas, a new 50:50 joint venture focused on producing oilseed-based feedstock for biofuels such as sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. Etlas will use crops including canola, mustard, and sunflower, combining Corteva’s expertise in seed technology with bp’s capabilities in fuel refining and marketing for commercial transportation.
Etlas aims to produce around one million metric tonnes of feedstock annually by the mid-2030s, with the potential to generate more than 800 thousand tonnes of biofuel. Initial supply is expected to begin in 2027, supporting both co-processing at existing refineries and dedicated biofuels production facilities.
The venture is positioned to address rapidly rising global demand, with sustainable aviation fuel consumption projected to reach up to 10 million tonnes by 2030, up from about 1 million tonnes in 2024. Demand for renewable diesel is also expected to grow significantly, potentially reaching 35 million tonnes by 2030 compared with around 17 million tonnes in 2024.
Etlas will source feedstock from intermediate crops grown on existing cropland between main food crop seasons. This approach helps improve soil health, avoids additional land use, and provides farmers with new revenue opportunities from previously unproductive periods.
Ignacio Conti, Global Business Development Director at Corteva, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Etlas, while Gaurav Sonar, vice president of Novel Feedstocks at bp, will serve as Chair of the Board. Both companies highlighted the venture as a capital-light model that strengthens the biofuels value chain while supporting farmers and advancing the transition to lower-carbon transportation fuels.