Corteva and bp Launch Etlas™ to Scale Sustainable Biofuel Feedstocks
Global agriscience leader Corteva Inc. and energy major bp have announced the launch of Etlas™, a new 50:50 joint venture designed to accelerate the production and delivery of sustainable biofuel feedstocks to global markets.
The partnership brings together Corteva’s deep expertise in seed technology and crop innovation with bp’s integrated downstream capabilities in refining and fuel marketing, creating a scalable pathway to meet rising demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (RD).
Bridging Agriculture and Energy for Low-Carbon Fuels
Etlas will focus on producing oil from crops such as canola, mustard and sunflower, specifically developed and optimised for biofuel production. These oils will be used in the manufacture of SAF and RD, two fuels seen as critical to decarbonising aviation and heavy transport.
By combining agricultural innovation with energy infrastructure, Etlas aims to deliver a reliable, cost-competitive and scalable feedstock supply, addressing one of the key bottlenecks in biofuel expansion.
Ambitious Production Targets
Etlas has set a goal to produce one million metric tonnes of feedstock annually by the mid-2030s, with the potential to generate more than 800,000 tonnes of biofuel per year.
Initial feedstock supply is expected to begin in 2027, supporting both co-processing at existing refineries and dedicated biofuel production facilities.
This comes as industry forecasts point to rapid growth in demand:
SAF demand could rise to 10 million tonnes by 2030, up from around 1 million tonnes in 2024
Renewable diesel demand may reach 35 million tonnes by 2030, compared with 17 million tonnes in 2024
Etlas is positioned to help meet this surge by ensuring long-term feedstock availability.
Sustainable Farming at the Core
A key feature of the Etlas model is its focus on intermediate crops grown on existing cropland, typically between main food cropping seasons. These crops:
Improve soil health
Create new income streams for farmers
Avoid additional land-use pressure by utilising previously unproductive periods, such as fallow or cover seasons
This approach strengthens the sustainability profile of biofuels while reinforcing agriculture’s role in climate solutions.
Leadership and Strategic Vision
Ignacio Conti, Global Business Development Director at Corteva, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Etlas, while Gaurav Sonar, bp’s Vice President for Novel Feedstocks, will serve as Chair of the Board of Directors.
“As the aviation industry looks for reliable, sustainable and cost-competitive sources of SAF, it is clear farmers have a critical role to play,” said Conti. “Etlas brings together leaders in agriculture innovation and energy production to scale supply while offering farmers meaningful new revenue opportunities.”
Strengthening the Biofuels Value Chain
bp views Etlas as a capital-light joint venture that enhances flexibility and optionality across its biofuels value chain.
“This partnership strengthens our position in biofuels and helps deliver attractive returns,” said Philipp Schoelzel, bp’s Senior Vice President for Biofuels Growth. “We’re excited to collaborate with Corteva to deliver what our customers want.”
From Corteva’s perspective, the venture aligns directly with its mission to support both global energy needs and farmer livelihoods.
“By helping found Etlas, Corteva continues to deliver on two critical parts of our mission: to help fuel the world and to support farmers,” said Judd O’Connor, Executive Vice President of Corteva’s Seed Business Unit.
A Scalable Pathway to Sustainable Aviation
As airlines and fuel producers seek viable routes to decarbonisation, Etlas™ represents a strategic convergence of agriculture and energy, offering a practical, scalable solution to one of the most pressing challenges in the transition to low-carbon fuels.
By linking innovation in the field with demand in the skies, Corteva and bp are positioning Etlas as a cornerstone of the future biofuels ecosystem.
