Advanced bio-fuels developer Aemetis has signed a multi-year agreement with US-based sorghum producer Chromatin for the supply of locally-grown grain sorghum.

Chromatin, as per the agreed terms, will engage local producers to grow sorghum on up to 30,000 acres, and supply the same to Aemetis to be employed as feedstock production at the latter’s Keyes facility in California.

The use of sorghum will help the company increase stability of its feedstock supply chain.

Aemetis chairman and CEO Eric McAfee noted that the company is currently transitioning from traditional to advanced feedstocks at its Keyes plant.

"By working with Chromatin and California farmers to source local grain sorghum, Aemetis will lower its carbon intensity in the production process, and further the goals of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) as well as the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)," McAfee said.

Chromatin CEO Daphne Preuss noted, "This agreement with Aemetis is an important step in Chromatin’s commitment to market high quality sorghum hybrids for the production of Advanced Biofuels feedstocks."

Sorghum is a cost competitive and energy efficient feedstock and is also a substitute for corn as it is easy to grow with less fertilizer and water; the crop tolerant to both heat and drought conditions.

Additionally, residue from sorghum grain harvest is useful in biogas production or can be further employed as as high quality animal feed.