The first step in the oil extraction process is dehulling with machines that crack the seed to separate the outer hull from the oil-bearing seed kernels. The dehulled kernels are then heated with open steam to rupture the oil-bearing cells inside the kernels. Rolling mills and flakers further break down the kernels into smaller pieces as preparation for the next step--mechanical extraction.

The primary operating units for the mechanical extraction step are screw presses. These consist of large-diameter hardened-steel screws that rotate slowly within a caged screen. The warm oil-bearing kernel material is fed into one end of these units which apply a high pressure on the hot material. The oil oozes out of the crushed kernel cake and through the caged screens into a collection tank. Crude oil and seed cake are the end products from this operation. The crude oil is filtered to remove coarse and fine suspended solids, leaving a clear shining Jatropha crude oil. 

The seed cake contains anywhere from 6 to 10% residual oil still remaining in it. This seed cake is cooled and then passed through a cake breaker prior to pelletizing and storage for sale as fertilizer.