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Idemitsu to start trial of non-edible oilseed crop for aviation fuel

Idemitsu Kosan will start a trial plantation of the nonedible oilseed tree crop Pongamia in Australia from midJanuary to evaluate its capacity as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), Japan's No. 2. petroleum refiner said on Thursday.

The plantation will be performed in collaboration with. Terviva, a U.S. business with over a years of research study and. growing proficiency in Pongamia, Idemitsu said in a statement.

Pongamia, a leguminous plant dispersed in Southeast Asia. and Oceania, is an extremely efficient non-edible oilseed crop that. does not take on food production, according to Idemitsu.

Idemitsu, intending to develop a supply system for 500,000. kilolitres of SAF yearly by 2030, stated it has also purchased. Terviva, it stated, but did not reveal the investment details.

Through the trial plantation, Idemitsu will evaluate. long-term cultivation methods for Pongamia and how to optimize. the supply chain from cultivation to SAF production.

Idemitsu will likewise check out additional usages for Pongamia,. consisting of producing carbon credits through afforestation,. producing biomass power pellets from Pongamia shells, and utilizing. pressed oilseed cake as animals feed.

Oil drawn out from its seeds is anticipated to act as a. feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel production, the business. stated.

SAF is thought about essential for the aviation sector to reach. its objective of net no carbon emissions by 2050, but its adoption. remains in a nascent stage.

SAF makes up only around 0.3% of international jet fuel use and. is predicted to reach just 0.7% by 2025, according to information from. airline trade body IATA. Experts emphasize that the production. rate of the green fuel requires to grow rapidly for the sector to. attain its emissions targets.

(source: Reuters)