The area of biofuels is growing every year. The list includes everything from algae to canola to switchgrass to corn. The main problem with most of the list is the difficulty in mass producing those sources or the ethical dilemma created with the food vs fuel debate.
Carinata holds the advantage over many of the bio sources in the fact that it is very similar to canola, so it can be grown subject to the same agronomic profile yet it is a distinctive fit to industrial use instead of human consumption. Carinata can perform well in drier climates and can grow well in areas that would pose more of a risk for regular canola. What is so appealing is the potential for farmers to use the same herbicides on carinata as they do on canola.
Agrisoma Biosciences is a biotechnology company that is developing carinata for use in both diesel and jet fuel applications. Patrick Crampton is Vice President of Business and Product Development for Agrisoma. I spoke to him about carinata and the promising applications for the biofuel industry and for southern prairie farmers.
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