Growing interest

Rapeseed has seen tremendous growth in recent years.

Will new legislative requirements change the trend?

A versatile crop

Since four decades, rape seed production in the world is on a rising trend, Europe being no exception to the rule. Initially driven by food applications, today about 60 % of the European rapeseed oil production is used as a local feedstock for renewable energy. 

Biodiesel production based on biomass like rapeseed makes sense because significant reductions of the overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as compared to use of fossil fuel can be achieved.

The European Union therefore has set minimum savings of 35% as of 2015 and demands even stronger reductions of 50 and 60% as of 2017 and 2018 respectively [7]. These limits will be hard to attain even with the most efficient rapeseed nutrition.

Figure 1: Rapeseed acreage, yield and productivity are on a rising long-term trend in the European Union since four decades [1].

Meeting GHG reduction targets

About 45% of GHG emissions from biofuel production are related to nitrogen fertilizer. Direct emissions from fertilizer production can be reduced by using fertilizers produced in modern energy efficient European plants, employing nitrous oxide abatement technology. Indirect emissions from fertilizer application can be reduced by applying the most efficient nitrogen form, with the right timing and rate.

Most efficient nitrogen management and balanced nutrition is paramount to meet stricter limits for GHG emissions from biodiesel production based on rapeseed.