07 May 2026, Missouri: Bayer and bp have announced a long-term strategic alliance to jointly scale the cultivation and commercialization of camelina under the newgold® brand, targeting the rapidly growing renewable fuels market in North America.

Under the collaboration, bp will contribute its expertise in fuels and refining, while Bayer will leverage its advanced seed technology capabilities and extensive farmer network to accelerate the adoption of camelina as an intermediate oilseed crop. The partnership aims to support increasing demand for biodiesel, renewable diesel (RD), and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a market projected to nearly triple to 40 billion gallons by 2040.

According to the companies, the alliance is designed to build a reliable intermediate oilseed value chain while providing farmers with greater market certainty and additional income opportunities.

Frank Terhorst, Head of Strategy and Sustainability for Bayer's Crop Science division, said the collaboration will help connect the full value chain required to bring camelina successfully to market. He added that Bayer is utilizing its breeding program to improve the crop and unlock its global potential for the renewable fuels sector while creating new revenue streams for growers.

Philipp Schoelzel, Senior Vice President Biofuels Growth at bp, described the alliance as an example of combining complementary capabilities with trusted partners to develop products that meet customer demand while delivering long-term value.

The announcement follows Bayer's acquisition of camelina assets in late 2024. The company has already introduced newgold camelina in the Northern Plains region of the United States and in Southern Saskatchewan and Southern Alberta in Canada. Testing of both long- and short-season biotypes is currently underway as Bayer prepares for broader commercial rollout.

Camelina is being positioned as a lower-carbon-intensity feedstock for renewable fuel production. The crop offers flexibility for both spring and winter cultivation and generally requires lower agricultural inputs. Bayer noted that camelina possesses winter hardiness, pod shatter resistance, and drought tolerance, enabling cultivation on idle or fallow land and between traditional crop rotations without directly competing with food production.

The companies said newgold® camelina is intended to function as a "profit multiplier" for growers by offering multiple production opportunities. Farmers can cultivate the crop as an intermediate crop between main growing seasons, integrate it within crop rotations to improve agronomic management while diversifying income, or grow it on marginal and underutilized land to improve productivity.