SG Biofuels, Brookhaven National Laboratory partner to accelerate analysis, testing of oil produced by SG Biofuels' Latin American jatropha plantations

Graziela Medina Shepnick

ENCINITAS, California , April 20, 2010 (press release) – SG Biofuels today announced it has established a strategic partnership with Brookhaven National Laboratory to accelerate the analysis and testing of oil produced by its Latin American Jatropha plantations. The company was selected by Brookhaven National Laboratory to provide its seed and oil for analysis as the organization expands its research and focus on Jatropha as a sustainable, low-cost source of feedstock.

Funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will be allocated to Brookhaven National Laboratory to expand the evaluation of combustion properties in Jatropha oil.

Jatropha will be blended with residual oil combusted in a commercial boiler that has been used by Brookhaven National Laboratory to test other biofuel blends over the past few years. During the tests, measurements of gases and particulates in the stack will be made to evaluate the differences made by the blending. Physical and chemical properties are also being evaluated in the course of this work.

“As we continue our scientific and genetic efforts to enhance Jatropha across a number of traits, including yield, climate tolerance and improved agronomic inputs, it’s important that we continue to benchmark oil quality and performance,” said Kirk Haney, President and Chief Executive Officer of SG Biofuels. “This partnership will provide valuable third-party research and analysis as we continue our efforts to develop elite cultivars of Jatropha.”

Jatropha oil produced by SG Biofuels has been independently evaluated for its biodiesel qualities and verified to be a clean, stable source of feedstock for biodiesel that meets or exceeds U.S and European specifications.

Following more than three years of research, the company recently announced the world’s first elite Jatropha cultivar, JMax 100, optimized for Guatemala. SG Biofuels also launched the JMax Jatropha Optimization Platform, providing growers, plantation developers and research agencies access to the highest yielding and most profitable Jatropha in the world, the sequenced genome and advanced genomics platform to develop elite cultivars specifically designed for their unique growing conditions.

Jatropha curcas is a non-edible shrub that is native to Central America. Its seeds contain high amounts of oil that can be used for a variety of bio-based materials including biodiesel and feedstock substitutes for the petrochemical and jet fuel industries.

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