GO Resources to commercialize high-tech, super high oleic safflower oil

July 15, 2015 |

SafflowerMore oleic acid than any commercial crop.

Renewable alternative to petroleum-based raw materials with multiple applications in the biolubricants, biochemical and bioplastics industries. 

In Australia, GO Resources has entered into an exclusive worldwide licence with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, to commercialize its technology to produce super high oleic safflower oil for the high-value industrial oil market. The technology was developed at CSIRO through the Crop Biofactories Initiative, a joint activity of CSIRO and the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

The background

The technology first surfaced in early 2012 in a report from CSIRO, which noted:

Should the Super High Oleic safflower be commercialised, then Australian grain growers will have a unique opportunity to produce and supply renewable, sustainable plant oils for industrial use, and these oils could one day replace petrochemicals in industrial products ranging from fuel and lubricants to specialty chemicals and plastics. The research team used CSIRO’s gene silencing technology to boost levels of desirable oleic acid by switching off its conversion to other unwanted fatty acids in the safflower oil. Safflower is an ideal crop for Australian biofactories as it is a very hardy crop that does well in warm seasonal conditions and should cope well with the expected stresses of climate change.

Timelines and dollars

Timelines. By 2014, we heard that the CSIRO safflower was OK’d for field trials by the Australian Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Regulatory approval is expected to support full commercialization in 2016. However, we hear from GO that they expect Australian commercial production to begin in 2018 and will seek to expand international opportunities over time.

Prices. We’ve seen them in the $1500-$3000 per ton range for high oleic oils.

Why oleic matters

The most widely available vegetable oils contain, mostly, glycerides of the fatty acids linoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic. Of these linoleic and oleic are unsaturated fats — and these are healthier. The fact that animal fats are mostly saturated and veggie oils are more unsaturated — well, that’s one reason why we are supposed to consume veggie oils instead of, say, lard.

As the Mayo Clinic advises, “Saturated fat raises total blood cholesterol levels and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, which can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Saturated fat may also increase your risk of type 2 diabetes.”

Ugh.

But monounsaturated fats, as in the case of oleic oil, the Mayo Clinic advises: “Studies show that eating foods rich in monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) improves blood cholesterol levels, which can decrease your risk of heart disease. Research also shows that MUFAs may benefit insulin levels and blood sugar control, which can be especially helpful if you have type 2 diabetes.”

So, that’s good.

Beyond food?

You don’t just have to eat it. GoodGuide reports that oleic acid is used in Corrosion Inhibitors, as a solvent for paint manufacture, a solvent for de-inking paper in the pulp industry, and for intermediate fluxes for welding and soldering agents. Croda also advises that oleins are used in the formulation of cosmetics, detergents and lubricants, and in the production of intermediates such as surfactants, solvents and fine chemicals.

What’s in there?

Here’s the tale of the tape, courtesy of the University of California-Davis.

Percent Fatty Acid Present in Triglycerides
 Fat or Oil Saturated Unsaturated  
   Palmitic Stearic  Oleic Linoleic  Other
Animal Origin
 Butter 29 9 27 4 31
 Lard 30 18 41 6 5
 Beef 32 25 38 3 2
 Vegatable Origin
 Corn oil  10 4 34 48 4
 Soybean 7 3 25 56 9
 Peanut 7 5 60 21 7
 Olive 6 4 83 7

So, you see right away the significance of the GO / CSIRO announce. Out of the box, with 92% oleic oil content, it’s the most unsaturated oil available in a commercially-scaled crop — and a wide margin ahead of its nearest competitor, olive oil, on oleic oil content.

GO Resources’ super high oleic safflower oil will have direct applications as a raw material for bio-based feedstock, with industrial applications including lubricants, solvents, cosmetics, plastic additives, resins and polymers, biofuels, coatings, paints and inks.

The estimated value of the worldwide industrial oils and oleochemical market is in excess of $30 billion per annum.

Elsewhere in the oleic world

In 2013 Solazyme announced its entry into the textile lubricants market through a commercial supply agreement with Goulston Technologies. Goulston expects to commercialize a new class of sustainable products using Solazyme’s renewable high-performance, tailored algal oils for textile lubricants.

Solazyme expects to supply Goulston’s high oleic oil needs under the agreement.  As a result of continuing growth in global fiber production, industry estimates now put the fiber lubricant market at more than 1 billion pounds annually.

Key stories to follow

Solazyme: ROI next year, and some Return on Dream too.

Missouri project to heighten oleic acid content in soybeans

JOil, Temasek pioneer high oleic acid jatropha seeds

Reaction from stakeholders

Mr Michael Kleinig, a director of GO Resources, said, “Demand for alternate feedstocks such as super high oleic safflower oil is being driven by an increasing push from consumers, producers and governments toward sustainable, renewable and biodegradable products. The oil combines purity with stability and biodegradability. Safflower is a hardy and adaptable crop; works well in rotational cropping and produces good yields under dry conditions.”

Dr Allan Green, Research Director of CSIRO’s Bioproducts Program, said: “We have proven that we can tailor safflower to produce extremely high levels of oleic acid in the seeds. This technology is a great example of how plant oils are uniquely suited for expanded use as industrial raw materials and substitutes for current petrochemicals.

Mr Trevor Gawne, a director of GO Resources said, “This is a real breakthrough for the Australian oilseed industry. The SHOSO technology is another key step in developing new feedstocks for sustainable industries of the future. We are delighted to have been entrusted by CSIRO to commercialize its technology and look forward to taking the next steps in applying the technology to a new generation of crop-based products.”

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