World’s first flight powered by wood-based sustainable aviation fuels
Bioeconomy
NIFA’s investments in biofuels and bioproducts are bolstering America’s industrial base, protecting our national security, and supporting high-paying jobs.
Coordinated through a regional perspective, NIFA-funded research is reducing risks and accelerating progress for producers and processers.
The production of bioenergy and biobased products is valuable to the Nation’s ability to create new jobs and promote rural prosperity, reducing our dependence on nonrenewable energy.
Using NIFA-supported research and development, farmers, ranchers, foresters, and agribusiness leaders can access new markets, and implement scalable workflows, vetted supply chains, and tested crop varieties.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels
NIFA-funded projects have accelerated our ability to produce sustainable aviation fuel in the United States by supporting regional systems to generate biobased fuels from oilseed crops and wood.
Jet fuel produced from biomass is the primary way the aviation industry can reduce carbon cycling by 50-100 percent by 2050, as the industry grows exponentially. NIFA-funded research and development is opening new pathways for sustainably fueling our future.
NIFA, in partnership with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), has been instrumental in developing and commercializing a new biofuel crop, domesticated pennycress, that can provide much needed oil for sustainable aviation fuel production.
Wood biomass
NIFA-funded research has also created vetted and verified protocols for generating sustainable aviation fuels from waste-wood, such as residuals from forest operations and milling.
Thanks to a $10 million dollar grant awarded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture in 2019, a new oilseed is moving ever closer to becoming a cover crop that can be used both as a component in biofuels and livestock feeds.
Investment Snapshot
Investment Snapshot
NIFA-funded researchers developed a vetted supply chain for converting wood biomass to fuel. NIFA-funded research and development brought two new tested oilseed biofuels crops to market.
Powering aircraft with sustainable aviation fuel; Growing new oilseed biofuel crops at an industrial scale, during fallow periods between cash crops, without using additional land
Biochar for Healthy Soils
Biochar generated from wood biomass and agricultural waste is increasingly important for developing healthy soils in agriculture and forestry.
Reducing catastrophic wildfires and maintaining healthy forests requires removal of wood biomass. At commercial scale, the amount of biomass is huge, and there are not many established markets for low-value wood.
Investment Snapshot
Investment Snapshot
Biochar generated from trees killed or damaged by insects
NIFA-funded researchers developed four products to enable creating biochar from damaged trees: Vetted analysis, operations safety protocols, decision tools, and a biomass to biochar proof-of-concept.
Generating a useful agricultural supplement from a waste product; Building rich, healthy soils to support agricultural production and rural economies
Biochar from non-marketable wood
Biochar from non-marketable wood
Using processes like pyrolysis and gasification, wood biomass can be converted to biochar and biofuel. Two NIFA-funded regional public-private partnerships developed entire systems to produce biochar and build markets for its use.
Learn moreDomestic Natural Rubber
Natural rubber is critical to the economy and national security. Guayule, a rangeland plant, could launch a vital new domestic rubber industry, while reducing agricultural water use in the arid southwest.
The United States considers natural rubber a critical agricultural material. All aircraft tires are made entirely from natural rubber. Long-haul truck tires are composed of 70% natural rubber. National defense, transportation, medical, and consumer product sectors all depend on natural rubber.
Investment Snapshot
Investment Snapshot
Demonstration tires built for aircraft and race cars, made from domestically grown natural rubber
NIFA-funded researchers created vetted supply chains and rubber processing protocols for generating natural rubber from domestically grown guayule plants.
Establishing a natural rubber industry that can meet 10 to 15% of domestic demand; Catalyzing a whole new industry that will support rural economies
Rubber from rangelands
Rubber from rangelands
NIFA and ARS have been key players in launching a domestic natural rubber industry, focusing on the native desert shrub guayule. Our public-private partnership in the southwest is making domestic rubber production a reality.
Learn moreBioproducts
Bioproducts create American jobs, rural prosperity, and new industries and consumer products.
Forest products, biofuels, and natural rubber generate sustainable products for consumers and industry, while creating jobs and economic growth, especially in rural and agricultural communities.
Investment Snapshot
Investment Snapshot
Pavement and biodegradable plastics made from food waste
NIFA-funded researchers created the equipment and protocols to bind asphalt pavement, and to manufacture plastic bottles, utensils, packaging film, and coated cardboard, all from oil generated by digesting food waste.
Generating renewable oil from food waste, to create pavement and biodegradable plastics; Increasing reliance on domestic supply chains while creating high-paying jobs
Building everyday products from plants, food waste, and manure
Initiatives funded through NIFA’s Bioproduct Pilot Program, the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, and the Agriculture and Food and Research Initiative have catalyzed the development and use of a wide range of products, from eating utensils to asphalt to renewable natural gas.
Many of these goods are generated from food waste and manure which would otherwise be thrown away. These initiatives support domestic energy production, domestic supply chains, and new high-paying jobs.
Page last updated: May 18, 2025