Market Opportunity & Commercial Viability

The global market for biofuels is expected to reach $280 billion by the year 2022 (Pike Research).  The total market for renewable jet fuel alone is predicted to increase to more than $100 billion over the next decade, requiring the production of more than 30 billion gallons of sustainable fuel per year.  Additionally, the biochemical industry is estimated to grow to between $250 billion and $500 billion by the year 2025.  Jatropha has been identified as one of the most viable feedstocks to meet this demand.

Pike Research predicts that Jatropha will be making a significant contribution to the global biodiesel market by the year 2014.   This contribution is largely driven by the current economic viability of the crop.  Elite cultivars of Jatropha from SG Biofuels can produce sustainable crude Jatropha oil today for $1.40 per gallons ($58 per barrel).  This is due to a combination of low input costs (land use costs are between 10 and 20 percent those for food crops), and increased yields through breeding and biotechnology.   The company has identified specific traits that will ultimately lower the production cost of crude Jatropha oil to $0.75 per gallon.