Sustainable Oils
| Company type | LLC |
|---|---|
| Industry | Renewable fuels, Biofuels |
| Predecessor | Targeted Growth, Inc. and Green Earth Fuels |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Great Falls , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (including United States, Canada, Chile) |
| Products | Camelina oil for renewable jet fuel, green diesel, biodiesel, green plastics, oleochemicals; nutrient-dense animal feed (from biomass) |
| Owner | Global Clean Energy Holdings |
| Parent | Global Clean Energy Holdings |
Sustainable Oils is a company dedicated to renewable fuels, focusing on the development and cultivation of Camelina, the sole advanced biofuel feedstock authorized by the USDA, EPA, and FDA. The oil extracted from Camelina seeds is refined into renewable jet fuel, green diesel, biodiesel, as well as green plastics and oleochemicals. After oil extraction, the remaining biomass is utilized as nutrient-dense animal feed. Compared to conventional biofuel crops such as soy and corn, Camelina delivers competitive oil yields and benefits from shorter cultivation cycles. Sustainable Oils is headquartered in Great Falls, Montana, where it conducts most of its operations.
History
The research efforts of Sustainable Oils commenced in 2005. Two years later, in 2007, Targeted Growth, Inc. and Green Earth Fuels formed the company as a Delaware LLC. By 2008, Sustainable Oils had secured a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide 40,000 gallons of Camelina-derived jet fuel for Navy certification trials.
In 2009, field studies were extended to Chile. By 2011, the company supplied all Camelina oil used in an F-22 Raptor test flight that employed a 50% blend of Camelina fuel. In 2013, Sustainable Oils was acquired by Global Clean Energy Holdings, a California-based firm specializing in biofuel feedstocks.
In October 2021, the company moved its corporate headquarters to Great Falls, Montana. The following month, it acquired a 45-acre site in Havre, Montana, with plans to develop a grain storage and rail loading facility capable of handling 600,000 bushels of its proprietary Camelina grain.
By November 2023, Sustainable Oils had developed herbicide-resistant Camelina strains, held 20 patents related to these advancements, and supported cultivation across 65,000 acres worldwide.
Research
Since launching one of the globe’s largest Camelina research initiatives in 2005, Sustainable Oils has conducted over 140 field trials spanning 34 U.S. states and six Canadian provinces. The company maintains research nurseries located in Montana, Arizona, and Chile. Its parent organization, Global Clean Energy, owns 20 exclusive Camelina varieties engineered for enhanced grain production, increased oil content, and superior agronomic characteristics.
Supply of Camelina Oil to U.S. military
In collaboration with Honeywell in 2008, Sustainable Oils provided the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency with 40,000 gallons of renewable jet fuel derived from Camelina for military flight testing. The Navy evaluated a blend consisting of equal parts Camelina fuel and conventional jet fuel in aircraft such as the F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-22 Raptor, and SH-60 Seahawk Helicopter. These tests met or surpassed military performance criteria; notably, the F-22 achieved supercruise speeds exceeding Mach 1.5. Over the course of this program, Sustainable Oils delivered close to 500,000 gallons of Camelina oil to military operations.
EPA approval of Camelina
In February 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted approval for Camelina oil as an advanced biofuel feedstock under the Renewable Fuel Standard program. Sustainable Oils played a role in facilitating this regulatory approval. This designation allows producers to earn Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), enabling Camelina-based biofuels to satisfy federal mandates for advanced biofuel blending requirements.
Acquisition
On March 14, 2013, Global Clean Energy Holdings broadened its asset base through the purchase of Sustainable Oils from Targeted Growth Inc., utilizing a combination of common stock and a promissory note. This acquisition strategically increased Global Clean Energy's presence in the renewable fuels sector and reinforced its operational framework in the biofuel market.