Rio Tinto is set to establish Pongamia seed farms in Australia as part of a new biofuels pilot project. This initiative will investigate the viability of Pongamia seed oil as a feedstock for renewable diesel, offering a cleaner alternative to conventional fossil fuels.
The pilot aims to assess whether this seed oil can meet some of Rio Tinto’s renewable diesel requirements while fostering the development of a new biofuel sector in Australia. The company is finalizing the acquisition of about 3,000 hectares of cleared land near Townsville in north Queensland to study growth conditions and evaluate seed oil yields.
To manage the planting and oversight of these seed farms, Rio Tinto has partnered with Midway Limited. Jonathon McCarthy, Rio Tinto’s chief decarbonisation officer, stated, “Diesel accounts for roughly 10% of our emissions footprint in Australia. While we are committed to electrification as the long-term solution to significantly reduce diesel use, this Pongamia seed pilot represents an important parallel strategy that could help decrease our diesel dependence in the interim. It also offers a viable option for applications that are difficult to electrify, such as blasting and non-haul equipment.”
McCarthy added, “Currently, Australia lacks a robust biofuel feedstock industry to satisfy domestic demand. Developing a sustainable biofuels sector could enhance regional fuel security, create local economic opportunities, and support emissions reduction targets.”
Tony McKenna, managing director of Midway Limited, expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Rio Tinto on this innovative pilot. He noted, “We are proud to contribute to the development of a sustainable domestic biofuel industry. This partnership strengthens our position as reliable providers capable of delivering diverse projects for companies committed to finding alternative solutions to reduce net emissions.”
This pilot follows a smaller-scale trial at Rio Tinto’s Gove operations in the Northern Territory, where Pongamia saplings were planted to understand their adaptability to low soil quality, heat, and other climatic conditions in northern Australia.
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