Neste Explores Regenerative Agriculture for Renewable Raw Materials

Neste Oyj, a producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel, is actively developing methods to incorporate raw materials derived from regenerative agriculture into its production processes. The company has set a target to source roughly 20 percent of its renewable raw material supply from novel vegetable oils (NVOs) grown using regenerative farming practices by the year 2035.

Regenerative agriculture focuses on practices that restore and enhance soil health, increase carbon sequestration, promote biodiversity, and improve the economic viability for farmers. Neste is collaborating with various partners across the value chain, including academic institutions like the University of Bologna, to develop these agricultural concepts into viable feedstock solutions for its renewable product portfolio.

Current initiatives include field trials in locations such as Zeeland, the Netherlands, where farmers are testing intermediate crops like camelina. These early trials aim to assess the feasibility of integrating these crops into existing farming systems and their impact on soil health and yield.

With over 60 ongoing projects globally, Neste is gathering data to evaluate the environmental and economic benefits of these practices. This strategic focus on exploring diverse and sustainable raw material sources aligns with the broader industry push to reduce reliance on fossil resources and transition towards a circular economy.