This is happening with marigold as a source for resins for the paint and varnish industry, crambe as a source of erucic acid for the oleochemical industry, and caraway as a source for carvone for anti-sprouting agents. It was also concluded that the presence of a processing industry even on a small scale, is an absolute necessity for providing industrial partners with enough material for industrial trial runs. Agronomics, processing of the seeds and application of the various oils are studied by a consortium of institutes and industries. Each framework program has a duration of four to five years. Between the subsequent programs there is an overlag of one year to safeguard continuity.
Most projects deal with fiber and wood.
The research deals with breeding, growing, and processing of oilseeds aimed at lubricant additives, the paint and varnish industry, and cosmetics. It is foreseen that in 1997 production of 1 million tonnes will be reached. In addition to biofuels, new oilseeds are being considered for use in the paint and varnish industry. Calendula looks very promising with a potential of several ten thousands of tons. Furthermore secondary metabolites have demonstrated their potential.