Development of Sustainable Oilseed Value Chains
ID: 3967

Abstract: Scott Johnson

Rising above the increasing din of concern about food vs. fuel, a new incarnation of an age old crop, camelina, is offering hope to a thirsty biodiesel industry. Camelina is well suited to be a biofuel crop, as it naturally contains high oil content; its oils are low in saturated fat; it is drought resistant and requires less fertilizer and herbicides. Most importantly, it is an excellent rotation crop with wheat, and it can also grow in marginal land. Camelina does not displace other crops or compete as a food source. It is estimated that the state of Montana alone could support between 2 and 3 million acres of camelina, generating 200 to 300 million gallons of oil each year.



On December 16, 2008 Japan Airlines announced a January test flight of a 747 on biojet fuel derived from camelina.



This session will chronicle how Sustainable Oils has optimized camelina for use as a dedicated bioenergy feedstock. Specifically, it will look at both non GMO (Molecular Assisted Marker Breeding) and GMO (yield increasing genes). This session will also look at the potential for camelina as a dedicated energy crops that will contribute to the success of the fueling industry.













Michael Lindenbaum

Agrisoma Biosciences is using its proprietary ETL technology to engineer a new generation of crops dedicated to efficient production of optimized feedstock for biofuels and other renewable products. The ETL technology combines productivity and compositional enhancements within an optimal genetic environment, providing enhanced genetic performance and stability. The technology is widely applicable and has been applied to a number of crop systems. The Company has focused on the development of dedicated oilseed crops, creating high value oil chemistries to be used as substitutes for petroleum based feedstock. Current product development activities are centered on applying the ETL technology for re-programming seed oil compositions optimized for biofuel feedstock applications. Using the ETL technology, the company has developed and field tested engineered oilseed lines, demonstrating the efficacy of the technology for commercial production of dedicated crop varieties with substantially modified oil profiles and overall enhanced productivity. The ETL technology thus provides the ability to engineer crops for specific novel feedstock chemistries and enhanced overall production of feedstock.





Session Title: Development of Sustainable Oilseed Value Chains



Most people have moved beyond the “why” and “should we” questions related to sustainable development to “how” do we develop sustainable biomass value chains”. This session will focus on value chains based on oilseed agricultural crops, such as camelina and flax.



The session will begin with an overview of different sustainable development (SD) approaches that are being applied in the building of a new bio-economy. As is often said in the bio context, sustainable development starts with feedstock selection – choosing feedstocks that produce economic and social benefits, and have a low “environmental footprint”. Scott Johnson will describe how Sustainable Oils has optimized camelina for use as a dedicated bioenergy feedstock. Specifically, this presentation will examine both non GMO (Molecular Assisted Marker Breeding) and GMO (yield increasing genes), and discuss the potential for camelina as a dedicated energy crops that will contribute to the success of the fueling industry.



Agrisoma Biosciences is using its proprietary ETL technology to engineer a new generation of crops dedicated to efficient production of optimized feedstock for biofuels and other renewable products. Michael Lindenbaum (Agrisoma) will present the Company’s development of dedicated oilseed crops to create high value oil chemistries that can be used as substitutes for petroleum based feedstock. Agrisoma’s current product development activities are centered on applying the ETL technology for re-programming seed oil compositions optimized for biofuel feedstock applications.



Linda Braun, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission, will describe the flax industry’s efforts to develop a sustainable dual purpose crop – an oilseed flax crop that produces value from both its seed and stem. Specifically, Ms. Braun will share the Commission’s recent experience applying The Natural Step framework to help guide the industry in its sustainability planning and decision-making.









Moderator: Maria Wellisch, Natural Resources Canada, CETC Ottawa (Canada)

Presenter 1: Overview of Approaches Being Applied to Sustainably Develop Bio-based Industries
Maria Wellisch, Natural Resources Canada, (Canada)  [Confirmed]

Presenter 2: Application of The Natural Step Framework in the Planning of a Sustainable Flax Industry 
Linda Braun, Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission, (Canada)  [Invited]

Presenter 3: Camelina: Tiny Seed With Huge Potential to Change Renewable Fuel Landscape 
Scott Johnson, Sustainable Oils, (United States)  [Invited]

Presenter 4 (if necessary): Enhanced Feedstock Production From Oilseed Crops Using the ETL System  
Michael Lindenbaum, Agrisoma Biosciences, Inc, (Canada)  [Invited]

Panel Organizer:
Maria Wellisch, Natural Resources Canada, CETC Ottawa, (Canada)

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