Terviva partnership to test pongamia’s biomass potential

Terviva, Inc., an agricultural innovation company working with farmers to grow and harvest pongamia for food, feed and fuel, has announced a strategic investment from integrated energy company Idemitsu.
Idemitsu, in partnership with Terviva and Stanmore, an Australia-based coal resource company, is beginning a trial plantation of Terviva’s pongamia in Queensland, Australia.
This collaboration leverages Terviva’s scalable tree production and Idemitsu’s expertise in fuels to accelerate the global production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) with oil from Terviva's proprietary pongamia technology.
Terviva has developed a model that ensures high yields for farmers and a robust end market for the entire pongamia bean, while Idemitsu's industry knowledge streamlines the path to market for the oil as SAF.
Pongamia is recognised for its ability to serve as a feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) using HEFA1 technology.
Through this trial planting, Idemitsu Kosan will gain an understanding of growing pongamia in a non-typical cropping area, and work on development and optimization of the supply chain for SAF production.
Additionally, the company will explore the creation of carbon credits through afforestation, the production of black pellets from shells for biomass power plants, the use of pressed seed pomace as livestock feed, and other uses beyond feedstock for SAF.
"We are excited to partner with a leading company like Idemitsu that shares our vision for a sustainable future," said Naveen Sikka, founder and CEO of Terviva. "Our pongamia genetics have been proven through extensive field trials on over a thousand acres, using proprietary data analytics and farming techniques to drive maximal yield, minimise cost and promote sustainable cultivation.
"The end result is a complete pongamia farming package that creates a low cost, low carbon and high quality form of oil and protein - revolutionary for a global agriculture industry that is confronting climate change. We are eager to support Idemitsu’s goals to advance sustainable fuel solutions.”