Energy
Casterra Ag’s Brazilian trials show Castor oil could power biofuel future
Castor oil, already valued in industries from lubricants and cosmetics to plastics and resins
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By ICN Bureau | April 06, 2026
Global computational chemistry leader Casterra Ag, a subsidiary of Evogene, has announced that its commercial field trials in Brazil have successfully demonstrated that large-scale, mechanized castor farming is economically viable—putting castor oil squarely on the map as a promising feedstock for biofuel.
“I am very satisfied with these results, which reaffirm Casterra's concept for developing economic castor farming. These results are a milestone in positioning castor as a sustainable and scalable feedstock for the growing biofuel and bio-based industries,” said Yoash Zohar, CTO of Casterra.
Castor oil, already valued in industries from lubricants and cosmetics to plastics and resins, could see its farming costs reduced while maintaining profitability for growers. Casterra’s proprietary seed varieties are designed for mechanized, low-input cultivation, enabling competitive pricing and improved value along the castor oil supply chain.
The trials spanned 74 hectares in Bahia, with 64 hectares rainfed and 10 hectares irrigated via center pivot, and total rainfall of 382 mm. Researchers tested a variety of plant populations and nutrient applications, collecting detailed data on every aspect of farming costs.
Looking ahead to 2026, Casterra plans to expand its presence in Brazil with a local subsidiary and strategic partnerships with castor oil producers, while scaling farming trials across multiple Brazilian states and climatic zones.
Casterra combines advanced genomics, licensed from Evogene, with a global breeding network to deliver high-yield castor seeds for bio-based industries.
