Idemitsu Kosan, Japan’s second-largest oil refiner, has announced the start of a Pongamia tree plantation trial in Australia this January. The initiative aims to evaluate Pongamia’s potential as a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feedstock, advancing Idemitsu’s goal of producing 500,000 kiloliters of SAF annually by 2030.
The project, conducted in partnership with US-based Terviva, benefits from over a decade of research into Pongamia cultivation. Pongamia, a leguminous tree native to Southeast Asia and Oceania, is a high-yield, non-edible oilseed crop that does not compete with food production, making it a sustainable choice for SAF.
Idemitsu will use the trial to optimise Pongamia cultivation methods and supply chain logistics while exploring additional uses such as carbon credit generation through afforestation, biomass power pellets from Pongamia shells, and livestock feed from pressed oilseed cake. Oil extracted from Pongamia seeds will serve as a critical feedstock for SAF production.
The aviation industry recognizes SAF as vital to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, SAF adoption remains limited, currently accounting for only 0.3% of global jet fuel use. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), this figure is expected to rise to just 0.7% by 2025, highlighting the need to rapidly scale production.
Idemitsu’s investment in Terviva highlights its commitment to driving innovation in SAF production. While financial details were not disclosed, this partnership and trial mark a significant step toward sustainable aviation and reducing carbon emissions.
