TotalEnergies and biofuel producer Avril have agreed to "examine the development" of intermediate crops in France.
Oil production from intermediate crops is projected at 10,000t by 2028, to rise to as much as 30,000t by 2030, the companies told Argus. This is based on Avril's summer 2024 camelina trials, which the firm said "yielded encouraging results". The trials are being carried out across France in 2025 to identify the best growing areas.
The companies will consider the use of crops that qualify for SAF production under EU regulation, which defines intermediate crops as those that maintain soil's organic matter content, do not require additional land use, or compete with food or feed production. Byproducts of some intermediate crops can be used in sectors including animal feed.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is to be produced from the oil in TotalEnergies' French biorefineries, and co-processed in its refineries in France and elsewhere in Europe.
Cover crop development in the EU has been prompted in part by the bloc's renewable energy policy push. The EU's ReFuelEU Aviation legislation mandates a minimum 2pc SAF blend in 2025, to increase to 70pc by 2050.