ZeaKal's PhotoSeed Technology Poised to Revolutionize Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production

ZeaKal's PhotoSeed technology has been validated as the first sustainability-embedded trait for agriculture, marking a significant advancement in the quest for sustainable fuel production. This innovative technology enhances photosynthetic capacity in soybeans, increasing oil content by 15% and protein by one point without compromising yield or requiring additional inputs.

The impact of PhotoSeed on the carbon intensity (CI) score of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from soybean oil has been independently analyzed by Foxley, LLC, with data under review by SCS Global Services. The analysis reveals that PhotoSeed can reduce SAF CI scores by up to 4.6 points, a substantial improvement in the fuel's environmental footprint.

This breakthrough comes at a critical time for U.S. farmers seeking to compete in the global commodity market and for the aviation industry striving to meet decarbonization targets. PhotoSeed technology has the potential to create an additional 13 million acres' worth of oil production on existing soybean acreage, effectively expanding SAF production by approximately one billion gallons.

The development aligns with recent bipartisan legislative efforts, including the Farm to Fly Act, which aims to accelerate SAF production and reduce emissions. PhotoSeed's ability to enhance oil and protein production without additional land or infrastructure could be instrumental in achieving these goals efficiently and cost-effectively.

ZeaKal has built a harmonized supply chain for PhotoSeed soy, collaborating with key industry players such as Gro Alliance, Nutrien Ag Solutions, and Perdue AgriBusiness. This collaboration paves the way for improved sustainability features in the food and agriculture industry, with PhotoSeed soybeans expected to be available for the 2026 growing season.

The validation of PhotoSeed as a technology pathway for reducing CI opens opportunities across ZeaKal's other crop programs. The company forecasts that its key crop programs could potentially expand global SAF production to 7.5 billion gallons per year, significantly contributing to the renewable fuels industry and agricultural sustainability efforts.

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and the need for sustainable fuel alternatives, ZeaKal's PhotoSeed technology represents a promising solution that could transform both agriculture and aviation industries, offering a path to more sustainable and efficient production practices.