10 Biofuels Predictions for 2010: #5, The Jatropha Revival

In 2010, look for:

Major investment announcement from SG Biofuels, outlining their capital strategy. Look for potential reorganization of GEM Biofuels. Jatropha gains renewed interest, traction as a go-to feedstock for aviation biofuels.

The hint from 2009:

In June, new details were disclosed by SG Biofuels on their discovery of cold-tolerant jatropha varietals. The company said that, conservatively, the discovery of varietals in Central America, after suitable testing and cross-breeding, could open up the US Gulf Coast for jatropha cultivation. The region has not been considered suitable for jatropha, except in southern Florida, because of winter frost conditions unsuitable to previously known varietals.

“The conventional wisdom about jatropha is wrong,” said Kirk Haney, CEO of SG Biofuels, which has established a leadership position in jatropha development through efforts such as the assembly of more than 5,000 jatropha samples from around the world. The company recently announced the  accession of cold-tolerant varietals discovered in Central America at elevations of up to 6,000 feet.

“Jatropha really got underway in the past five years, and the promise got distorted,” said Haney, reflecting on disappointing yields around the world at high-profile companies such as D1 Oils Fuel Crops.  “The best test results became the norms. Realistic jatropha yields will be in the 200-300 gallons per acre range with well managed farms.” Asked about yields discussed elsewhere of up to 800 gallons per acre? “Not today.”

“Every time I meet a jatropha developer” reflected Haney, “I ask them what strains they are using. 9 out of 10 will say “jatropha curcus” [instead of mentioning a specific strain]. In some cases, they don’t know.”

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