Launch of a Test Cultivation Project for Pongamia, a Biofuel Raw Material Plant, Utilizing a Former Coal Mine Site in Indonesia
A consortium of six companies, including MOL, Hasnur Group, Hanwa, and NH Foods, will launch a five-year test cultivation project of Pongamia—a non-edible, oil-producing plant—on a former coal mine site in Indonesia to verify its potential for biofuel and carbon credits.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 20:46
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 12:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 17:14 (124h 42m after Collected)
A consortium formed by six companies—Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Jotaro Tamura), PT Hasnur Group Indonesia (Headquarters: South Jakarta, Indonesia, President Director: Jayanti Sari), Hanwa Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President: Yoichi Nakagawa), NH Foods Ltd. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka, President: Fumio Maeda), Four Pride Management Pte. Ltd. (Headquarters: Singapore, CEO: Shinsuke Sogo), and SPIL Ventures (Headquarters: Central Jakarta, Indonesia, Director: Sumarny Manurung)—will launch a test cultivation project for Pongamia, known as an oil-bearing plant (hereinafter "the Project"), in Tapin Regency, South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Utilizing approximately 10 hectares of a former coal mine site, the project will conduct technical verifications over a five-year period from 2026 to 2031, including Pongamia cultivation, gathering growth data, its potential as a biofuel raw material, and the potential for generating carbon credits.
(Pongamia) (Test site: Former coal mine in South Kalimantan, Indonesia)
Pongamia is a legume native to India that grows wild in warm and humid climates ranging from Asia (Southern China, Okinawa, Taiwan) to tropical and subtropical regions (India, Southeast Asia, Australia, Western Pacific Islands), with Okinawa being its northernmost limit of distribution. The seeds contain about 30-45% oil, and because it is non-edible oil, it offers the advantage of allowing biofuel oil production without impacting food production. During cultivation, the project plans to receive specialized knowledge and technical guidance on plant cultivation and seed propagation from the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN) and universities in Japan.
The main verification items for this project are as follows. Based on the insights gained through this verification, the consortium will collectively consider the possibility of future commercialization.
- Cultivation suitability and acquisition of growth data for Pongamia
- Verification of its potential application as a biofuel raw material
- Verification of the supply chain as a biofuel raw material
- Verification regarding the rehabilitation and utilization of former coal mine sites
- Verification of the potential for carbon credit generation
- Identifying challenges toward future commercialization
Company Introductions
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL)
MOL operates over 900 vessels of various types, including LNG carriers, car carriers, oil tankers, and bulk carriers. Centered around its shipping business, the company also engages in social infrastructure businesses such as offshore, offshore wind power-related, logistics, and real estate businesses, as well as BtoC businesses like cruises and ferries. Aiming to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, it is advancing initiatives to reduce emissions. For details, please see the MOL Group Environmental Vision.
PT Hasnur Group Indonesia
Hasnur Group is a diversified corporate group founded in 1966 by South Kalimantan businessmen H. Abdussamad Sulaiman HB and Hj. Nurhayati. The name "Hasnur" is a combination of the two founders' names. Originally operating in river transport and forestry, it has grown into a comprehensive enterprise with seven strategic business units (SBUs): logistics, agriculture/forestry, energy, technology services, education, consumer services, and investments. With the motto "Grow Together, Create the Future," Hasnur Group is committed to social development through the Hasnur Foundation, which supports various social and educational activities in South Kalimantan. With a history of nearly 60 years, the group also owns the professional football club PS Barito Putera.
Hanwa Co., Ltd.
Since its establishment in 1947, Hanwa has developed businesses across a wide range of fields, primarily steel, but also non-ferrous metals, food, energy, living materials, and lumber. In its energy division, focusing on biofuels that will contribute to a global decarbonized society in the future, it is working to secure diverse biofuels in resource-rich Southeast Asia, promoting projects aimed at building a long-term, stable supply system.
NH Foods Ltd.
The Nippon Ham Group develops a wide range of food businesses, centering on meat and processed foods, but also including dairy products, marine products, and health-value areas, contributing to a rich lifestyle for people through the "Joy of Eating."
(Pongamia) (Test site: Former coal mine in South Kalimantan, Indonesia)
Pongamia is a legume native to India that grows wild in warm and humid climates ranging from Asia (Southern China, Okinawa, Taiwan) to tropical and subtropical regions (India, Southeast Asia, Australia, Western Pacific Islands), with Okinawa being its northernmost limit of distribution. The seeds contain about 30-45% oil, and because it is non-edible oil, it offers the advantage of allowing biofuel oil production without impacting food production. During cultivation, the project plans to receive specialized knowledge and technical guidance on plant cultivation and seed propagation from the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN) and universities in Japan.
The main verification items for this project are as follows. Based on the insights gained through this verification, the consortium will collectively consider the possibility of future commercialization.
- Cultivation suitability and acquisition of growth data for Pongamia
- Verification of its potential application as a biofuel raw material
- Verification of the supply chain as a biofuel raw material
- Verification regarding the rehabilitation and utilization of former coal mine sites
- Verification of the potential for carbon credit generation
- Identifying challenges toward future commercialization
Company Introductions
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL)
MOL operates over 900 vessels of various types, including LNG carriers, car carriers, oil tankers, and bulk carriers. Centered around its shipping business, the company also engages in social infrastructure businesses such as offshore, offshore wind power-related, logistics, and real estate businesses, as well as BtoC businesses like cruises and ferries. Aiming to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, it is advancing initiatives to reduce emissions. For details, please see the MOL Group Environmental Vision.
PT Hasnur Group Indonesia
Hasnur Group is a diversified corporate group founded in 1966 by South Kalimantan businessmen H. Abdussamad Sulaiman HB and Hj. Nurhayati. The name "Hasnur" is a combination of the two founders' names. Originally operating in river transport and forestry, it has grown into a comprehensive enterprise with seven strategic business units (SBUs): logistics, agriculture/forestry, energy, technology services, education, consumer services, and investments. With the motto "Grow Together, Create the Future," Hasnur Group is committed to social development through the Hasnur Foundation, which supports various social and educational activities in South Kalimantan. With a history of nearly 60 years, the group also owns the professional football club PS Barito Putera.
Hanwa Co., Ltd.
Since its establishment in 1947, Hanwa has developed businesses across a wide range of fields, primarily steel, but also non-ferrous metals, food, energy, living materials, and lumber. In its energy division, focusing on biofuels that will contribute to a global decarbonized society in the future, it is working to secure diverse biofuels in resource-rich Southeast Asia, promoting projects aimed at building a long-term, stable supply system.
NH Foods Ltd.
The Nippon Ham Group develops a wide range of food businesses, centering on meat and processed foods, but also including dairy products, marine products, and health-value areas, contributing to a rich lifestyle for people through the "Joy of Eating."