Burnett Mary Regional Group partners with Japanese biofuel companies to grow pongamia

The Burnett Mary Regional Group has joined forces with two Japanese firms to produce “sustainable biofuel for the Japanese aviation industry”.

Oil from pongamia pinnata seeds can be used as biodiesel fuel.

A Burnett not-for-profit has partnered with two Japanese firms to established the first ever commercial pongamia (Millettia Pinnata) plantation in Australia.

The Burnett Mary Regional Group has joined forces with Japanese firms Idemitsu and J-Oil Mills to produce “sustainable biofuel for the Japanese aviation industry”.

The groups CEO Sheila Charlesworth said it was a fresh step towards a sustainable aviation industry.

“Pongamia is nature positive – it not only gives more to nature than it takes out, its production will also create jobs,” Ms Charlesworth said.

The group will work with local indigenous communities to train traditional owner groups to manage, maintain, harvest and process the crop which will be planted just outside of Miriam Vale.

The plant, which is native to India and northern parts of Australia has a high oil yield and a positive growth rate on degraded and previously unproductive land.

The first crop of about 275,000 will go into 500ha, with the first initial production to come within five years when the plants reach 3m height.

The Burnett Mary Regional Group has secured land to bring the initial stages of the project to life, and is already planning on increasing future production outputs.

The plantation is expected to provide fuel to the Japanese aviation industry which has recently been required by its government to replace 1.4 million tons of fossil fuels with eco friendly alternatives by 2030.

Pongamia seedlings ready for planting.

The entire plant will be useful to multiple industries, while also offering a diverse habitat for local wildlife, Mrs Charlesworth said.

“As a legume, the crop also raises nitrogen levels in the soil, increasing its fertility, and provides opportunities for mixed agriculture on the plantations,” said Ms Charlesworth.

“The shell and seed by-product of processing can also contribute to the creation of feed for livestock.”

Originally published as Burnett Mary Regional Group partners with Japanese biofuel companies to grow pongamia