A life cycle analysis conducted by Michigan Technological University shows that jet fuel made from camelina could lead to drastic cuts in carbon emissions from traditional fuel. Great Plains Oil & Exploration, the largest camelina company in the world, welcomes the results of the study.

“This confirms what we have learned about camelina and why we established camelina as a biofuel source,” said Great Plains CEO Sam Huttenbauer, III. “We studied and improved camelina production for a decade before we launched the crop commercially, knowing that this crop will be a leader in next generation biofuels.”

“The fuel industry could be revolutionized by this amazing plant,” added Huttenbauer. The study, conducted by Michigan Tech professor David Shonnard, also points out that camelina can be converted into drop-in jet fuel. That means that engines can use 100 percent fuel made from camelina instead of traditional jet fuel with no performance or maintenance changes. The difference is the effect camelina has on the environment.

Throughout camelina’s life cycle, the study showed the drop in carbon emissions is about 84 percent when compared to the emissions throughout the life cycle of traditional jet fuel. Professor Shonnard stated, “Camelina jet fuel exhibits one of the largest greenhouse gas emission reductions of any agricultural feedstock-derived biofuel I've ever seen.”