The present study aims to explore the physico-chemical properties of Mesua ferrea L. (Iron wood tree) deoiled cake (MFDC) and decomposition parameters for thermochemical methods of conversion. The physico-chemical characteristics of MFDC were investigated by bomb calorimetry, TG/DTA (10, 20 and 40 degrees C min(-1)), elemental analysis (CHN) and FTIR spectroscopy. The proximate composition was calculated using standard ASTM methodology. The temperature profile, activation energy (E), pre-exponential factor (A) and reaction order (n) for the active pyrolysis zone of the species under investigation have been provided for the respective heating rates using Arrhenius, Coats-Redfern, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Global independent reactions model. The current investigation suggests that within the realm of existing biomass conversion technologies, MFDC can be used as a feedstock for thermochemical conversion. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.