The pongamia value chain, end to end.
An interactive reference covering the full processing chain — from advanced tree genetics through plantation operations, deshelling and drying, oil and meal extraction, pongamia co-products, and conversion to Sustainable Aviation Fuel and renewable diesel.
This is meant to be a high-level indicative template. Actual scope, scale, geography, partner allocation, and economics vary materially per project. Contact Terviva for more information.
Scroll to navigate the process flow. Tap or click any node to open a panel covering its scope, timing, responsibility, cost structure, and other relevant details.
Upstream
Plantation
Midstream
Downstream Processing
Post-Offtake Conversion
Co-products
Phase 1
Plant Material
R&D / Genetics
15+ yrs cross-breeding non-GMO, high-yielding cultivars
Tree Import
Live trees / nursery stock shipped to project site
Local Nursery
Motherstock management; propagating trees for field deployment
Phase 2
Plantation
Land Acquisition
Site selection, title, lease or purchase, permits
Land Preparation
Clearing, earthworks, irrigation, herbicide, fencing
Cultivation
Planting, pruning, canopy mgmt, nutrients, weed control
Carbon
Sequestration → carbon credits
Harvest
Manual vs. mechanical — design decision from yr 1
Phase 3
Midstream Processing
Drying
Moisture management for storage and processing
Deshelling
Beans separated from shells
Biochar via Pyrolysis
Shells → carbon-stable amendment + credits
or
Biomass for Heat/Energy
Shells → direct combustion fuel
Phase 4
Downstream Processing
Mechanical Extraction
Expeller press → oil + partial-defat meal
Solvent Extraction
Residual oil + fully defat meal
Animal Feed
Fully defatted meal → protein ingredient
pongamia oil
Phase 5
Conversion to Energy Products
Pretreatment
Phospholipid, metals, FFA removal · vendor selection
Hydrotreating
Co-processing vs. neat — strategic decision
Product Slate
SAF · RD · Naphtha · Propane
Created by Jay Nargundkar · Last updated July 7, 2026