PR94842

SINGAPORE, Mar. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

- NGO-backed Gold Standard certification obtained for Ghana plantation

- JOil's proprietary Jatropha varieties a highly productive non-food crop for

  multiple sustainable industrial applications including biofuel

- Second certification following ISCC certification since 2019

Singapore-based Jatropha JOil Singapore Pte Limited (JOil) has become the first

corporate to be awarded the world-class sustainability certification Gold

Standard( https://www.goldstandard.org/ ) for its Jatropha plantation in Ghana.

Its Jatropha trees produce fruits that are a non-food, low carbon footprint

source material for a variety of eco-friendly industrial applications,

including biofuel.

A best-in-class certification globally for climate and development projects,

the prestigious Gold Standard( https://www.goldstandard.org/ ) certification

has been awarded to JOil's Jatropha plantations in Bono East Province, Ghana,

as afforestation, reforestation and re-desertification (ARR) project, the first

corporate to achieve this, since the certification was established in 2003 by

WWF and other international NGOs as a best practice standard for sustainable

development.

A joint venture between Temasek Holdings Limited, Tata International and

Skyland Holdings, JOil is a pioneer in developing a sustainable Jatropha value

chain. It uses a technology-led approach in planting variety research and

downstream application technologies for industrial uses such as bio-resins,

bio-plastics, bio-candles, to name a few.

As part of upstream development, JOil will directly plant about 6,000 hectares

(ha) of Jatropha and establish about 14,000 ha of Jatropha Plantation through

an estimated 14,000 small holder outgrowers. This is expected to create

agricultural employment opportunities for an estimated 1,500 people, especially

women. JOil plans to certify all the plantations under Gold Standard or other

appropriate carbon certification standards.

Mr Sunny Verghese, Chairman of the Board of JOil, said, "As a sustainable, low

carbon emissions non-food crop, Jatropha represents a more climate positive,

nature positive and livelihood positive alternative raw material for a variety

of non-food applications. Every part of the Jatropha fruit can be used

productively, for example, Jatropha bio-resin can replace urea formaldehyde

used in the wood industry which is environmentally more harmful; the meal from

the fruit can be used as an organic fertiliser; fruit shells can have

application in bio-plastic; and crude Jatropha Oil from the nut can be a source

for various applications including biofuel."

"JOil's Jatropha plantations contribute to meeting UN SDGs 8, 13 and 15. Being

verified by internationally renowned institutions such as Gold Standard puts

JOil at the forefront of sustainability innovators. This certification will

enable JOil to generate high quality carbon credits and help us put back more

than what we have taken out from the planet."

Mr Vasanth Subramanian, Chief Executive Officer of JOil, said, "Gold Standard

certification is a major milestone for JOil as a Singapore company. It

recognises our position as a leader in pioneering a sustainable Jatropha supply

chain product and contributing to the rapidly growing global bio economy."

"This certification allows us to maximise positive impact and continue to add

value for people and the planet while we generate returns for our shareholders.

Moving forward, we will also work to obtain ISCC and appropriate carbon

certifications for all future developments."

Gold Standard is ISEAL Code Compliant and is independently evaluated against

ISEAL's Codes of Good Practice – a globally-recognised framework for effective,

credible sustainability systems. Gold Standard-certified projects undergo a

stringent assessment and must have the following:

- A minimum of three Sustainable Development Goals

- Local stakeholder consultation and gender-sensitive guidelines

- Environmental and social safeguards

- Limited risks and negative impacts

- Civil society endorsement from Gold Standard's broad NGO Supporter network

About JOil( http://www.joil.com.sg/ )

JOil is a Singapore-based joint venture company by Temasek Holdings Limited.,

Singapore, Tata Chemicals Ltd., India and, Wuthelam Holdings Pte. Ltd.,

Singapore. JOil is a pioneer in Jatropha.

JOil aims to create a sustainable Jatropha value chain by leveraging R&D

capabilities through elite planting materials to establish sustainable and

carbon positive Jatropha plantations as a non-food source of feedstock for

industrial applications of high value through proprietary technologies, thereby

maximizing economic returns to its shareholders while conducting business in an

ethical manner & positively impacting environment and communities

Source: Jatropha JOil Singapore Pte Limited