Terviva secures investment from Idemitsu to scale pongamia production for SAF

Terviva 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 SAF using HEFA1 technology.
"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, minimize 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.”
Terviva's elite pongamia cultivars have been developed over 15 years of research trials spanning nearly 2,000 acres in the US and Australia.
Terviva’s pongamia trees produce three or more metric tons of beans per acre, which feature a high oil content. The harvested beans are processed to produce oil, which can then be used as a feedstock, or raw material, for the biofuels industry.
Idemitsu Kosan aims to establish a supply system for 500,000 kL of SAF annually. To meet this goal, the company plans to produce 250,000 kL of SAF annually using HEFA technology at its Tokuyama Complex in 2028.