Revolutionary PhotoSeed Technology Poised to Transform Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production
October 30th, 2024 1:30 PM
By: Newsworthy Staff
ZeaKal's PhotoSeed technology has been validated as the first sustainability-embedded trait for agriculture, potentially increasing sustainable aviation fuel production by one billion gallons on existing U.S. soybean acreage.
In a significant development for sustainable agriculture and renewable energy, ZeaKal's PhotoSeed technology has been validated as the first sustainability-embedded trait for agriculture. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and could reshape the landscape of renewable energy production in the United States.
PhotoSeed technology enhances the photosynthetic capacity of soybeans, resulting in a 15% increase in oil content and a one-point increase in protein without compromising yield or requiring additional inputs. This innovation is projected to expand SAF production by approximately one billion additional gallons using existing U.S. soybean acreage.
An independent analysis conducted by Foxley, LLC has demonstrated that PhotoSeed can reduce the carbon intensity (CI) score of SAF derived from soybean oil by up to 4.6 points. This reduction is measured in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule and is currently under review by SCS Global Services, a leader in sustainability standards and third-party certification.
The implications of this technology are substantial. With soybeans occupying 87.5 million acres in the U.S., PhotoSeed soy has the potential to create an additional 13 million acres' worth of oil production while simultaneously improving the protein content of the meal co-product used for animal feed. This dual benefit addresses both the growing demand for renewable fuels and the need for high-quality animal feed.
Han Chen, co-founder and CEO of ZeaKal, emphasized the technology's potential to leverage plant genetics for carbon capture and expanded oil production without requiring new land or infrastructure. This approach offers the energy industry economically feasible feedstocks with improved CI features for SAF and other renewable fuels production.
The timing of this innovation aligns with recent bipartisan legislative efforts in the U.S., including the Farm to Fly Act introduced in January 2024. These initiatives aim to accelerate SAF production and reduce emissions, with goals of producing three billion gallons of SAF annually and reducing emissions by five percent by 2030. PhotoSeed technology could play a crucial role in achieving these targets efficiently and cost-effectively.
ZeaKal has already established a harmonized supply chain for PhotoSeed soy, collaborating with key industry players such as Gro Alliance, Nutrien Ag Solutions, and Perdue AgriBusiness. This collaboration enables improved oil and protein production with enhanced sustainability features for the food and agriculture industry. The initial three-million-acre East Coast footprint presents an attractive source for low CI feedstock, with PhotoSeed soybeans expected to be available for the 2026 growing season.
The verification of PhotoSeed as a technology pathway for reducing CI opens up opportunities across ZeaKal's other crop programs. The company forecasts that its key crop programs could potentially expand global SAF production to 7.5 billion gallons per year.
This development represents a significant step forward in sustainable agriculture and renewable energy production. By enhancing crop productivity and reducing carbon intensity, PhotoSeed technology offers a promising solution to the challenges of meeting growing energy demands while minimizing environmental impact. As the world continues to seek sustainable alternatives to traditional fossil fuels, innovations like PhotoSeed may play a crucial role in shaping the future of renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.
Source Statement
This news article relied primarily on a press release disributed by News Direct. You can read the source press release here,