Title

Research collaboration leads to first flight using sustainable camelina-based fuel

Relevance

{"ops":[{"insert":"The aviation industry seeks innovative solutions to reduce its carbon footprint while ensuring sustainability. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) derived from camelina, a regenerative crop, offers a dual benefit: reducing emissions and supporting agricultural resilience. This innovation is crucial for addressing climate change, protecting natural resources, and creating new economic opportunities for farmers in the Midwest.\n"}]}

Response

{"ops":[{"insert":"The University of Minnesota's Forever Green Initiative has been developing and improving winter-hardy annual and perennial crops that protect soil and water while driving new economic opportunities for growers, industry, and communities across Minnesota. The Forever Green Initiative collaborated with Delta Air Lines, Cargill, and local growers to use winter camelina, a continuous-living-cover crop shown to protect soil and water, as a sustainable feedstock for aviation fuel. With technical and financial support from the Environmental and Economic Clusters of Opportunity program, funded by the Clean Water Fund, 2,000 acres of winter camelina were planted and harvested by Minnesota and North Dakota farmers. That camelina was then used as a feedstock for SAF and the first 7,000-gallon shipment of blended SAF made from winter camelina arrived at the MSP fueling facility in September of 2024. The resulting SAF powered Delta’s first flight using camelina-based fuel during New York’s 2024 Climate Week, marking a historic milestone for sustainable aviation.\n"}]}

Results

{"ops":[{"insert":"The pilot program demonstrated the potential of camelina-based SAF to revolutionize aviation sustainability. SAF made from camelina has a lower carbon intensity scores of the many feedstocks being used for SAF production today. Further use of winter camelina as a SAF feedstock can open new markets for Minnesota and North Dakota growers, making it a viable continuous-living-cover crop for farmers to plant more acres of.\n"}]}

Public Value Statement

{"ops":[{"insert":"Camelina-based sustainable aviation fuel reduces carbon emissions, supports climate resilience, and strengthens rural economies. By integrating regenerative agriculture with cutting-edge aviation technologies, this effort delivers broad public benefits, including improved soil and water conservation, economic opportunities for farmers, and progress toward sustainable transportation. The success of this pilot lays the groundwork for a greener aviation industry and a more sustainable future.\n"}]}

Primary Focus Area

Energy & Bioproducts

Secondary Focus Area

Environmental Stewardship

Impact Statement