A joint venture between D1 Oils and BP

D1-BP Fuel Crops Limited, a joint venture between BP and D1 Oils plc, was formed in October 2007. The partnership aims to make more sustainable biodiesel feedstock available commercially through the planting and cultivation of Jatropha curcas, a low-cost, sustainable biodiesel feedstock. The partnership combines D1 Oils’ unique experience in the plant science and commercial planting of jatropha for the production of biodiesel with BP’s commercial strength, fuels technology expertise and access to major international fuel markets.

The joint venture will focus on jatropha cultivation in South East Asia, Africa, and India. It is anticipated that some 1 million hectares will be planted over the next four years, with an estimated 300,000 hectares per year thereafter. D1-BP Fuel Crops aims to have the first jatropha oil feedstock available in 2008.

Jatropha oil produced from the plantations will be used to meet local biodiesel requirements as well as for export to markets such as Europe, where domestic feedstock is unlikely to meet anticipated regulatory led demand for biodiesel of around 11 million tonnes a year from 2010.

An introduction to Jatropha

Jatropha curcas grows in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the globe and is a drought resistant, oilseed bearing tree. It will not compete with food crops for good agricultural land nor require the clearance of rainforest. It represents the next significant opportunity to meet the growth in demand for environmentally responsible, renewable transportation fuels.

Jatropha oil is inedible. Unlike food crops such as palm and soya, processing jatropha oil into biodiesel will not remove important protein sources from the food supply. Jatropha is a perennial hardy plant that is drought resistant and thrives in high temperature conditions. It grows on a wide range of land types, including marginal and waste land, and land that will not support arable crops. Currently, Jatropha curcas grows mostly as a field boundary, because animals do not browse its leaves.

Jatropha has higher yield potential than soy or rape, and requires less fertiliser; it also requires on average 1/10 of the water requirement of oil palm trees. Typical oil content is in the range of 30-35%, and oil yields range from between 1 to 2 tonnes/ha today, with the potential to rise significantly with good husbandry and plant breeding programmes.

The cultivation of jatropha will help develop the economies of lesser developed countries where it tends to grow, as well as potentially contribute strongly to the EU meeting its biofuel targets beyond 2010.

If you are interested in partnering with D1-BP Fuel Crops, please complete the enquiry form.

Contact details

D1-BP Fuel Crops Limited
3 More,
Riverside,
London
SE1 2RE

Press enquiries: +44(0) 20 3283 4070
Business enquiries: +44(0) 20 3283 4075

D1-BP Fuel Crops will from time to time publish any current employment opportunities within the business. We do not therefore respond to speculative enquiries.