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(France 24 with Reuters) France set out plans on Wednesday to tackle deforestation around the world, saying it would look to curb imports of products such as palm oil, soy and beef that contribute to the destruction of forest areas. In a joint statement, five French ministries proposed 17 measures aimed at
Malaysia
by Srijan Kanoi (S&P Global Platts) China has switched to importing US ethanol via alternative routes since the US-China trade war erupted in April, the country’s General Administration of Customs data indicated Tuesday. … In a surprise to the market, the data showed that China imported ethanol from Indonesia and Malaysia,
November 15, 2018
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(Zoological Society of London) World’s largest survey of palm oil producers and traders finds lack of assurance in tackling forest loss. Zero-deforestation commitments within the palm oil industry risk being undermined by a lack of monitoring within production landscapes – meaning the deforestation of tropical forests home to Critically Endangered wildlife such
November 12, 2018
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(New Straits Times) Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said at current low palm oil pricing, it is cheaper for trucks and busses to use biodiesel or palm methyl ester (PME) than petroleum diesel. Crude palm oil, which is currently trading at RM2,200 per tonne, is the main feedstock used in the
November 1, 2018
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(AFIQ AZIZ/The Malaysian Reserve) The visit is aimed to provide the EU delegations with a clearer and first-hand exposure to all issues concerned in RED — The European Commission will hold a consultation process with Malaysian palm oil industry stakeholders next week. The European Union (EU) Ambassador and head of delegation
October 19, 2018
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(The Star) Once surreptitiously dumped down drains in the dead of night, Asia’s used cooking oil is fast becoming one of the most sought-after commodities in Europe – as a feedstock for biodiesel. Aggressive green energy targets in the European Union that were bolstered further this year are pushing fuel makers
October 11, 2018
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(MalaysiaKini/Bernama) There should be no concern that the use of biodiesel will affect vehicle engines as proven by the implementation of biodiesel programme in Indonesia, said Wilmar International country head in Indonesia, Darwin Indigo. In allaying concerns by Malaysian hauliers and automotive manufacturers on the implementation of biodiesel programme in Malaysia,
September 17, 2018
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of invention and change is just too strong, we’ve realized, to highlight annual or even quarterly or monthly rankings and summaries of significant product and service advances. For now, we’re going to be tracking these on a weekly basis to keep pace with the
September 7, 2018
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by V. Ragananthini (Sun Daily) Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said the ministry will assist FGV Holdings Bhd in attracting investors to develop the downstream palm oil segment and in turn look to it for help with getting small palm oil growers obtain Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification. Kok said at
September 5, 2018
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We hear from Australia and Malaysia that PETRONAS Chemicals Group and Leaf Resources inked a Memorandum of Understanding for Leaf’s proposed biorefinery project in Malaysia. In prospect? A study of chemical markets and commercially ready bio-technologies. Potential outcome? An offtake agreement for the fermentable sugars produced
September 4, 2018
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by Michael Taylor (Thomson Reuters Foundation) Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil must include a commitment to zero deforestation in new standards, environmental experts say — The global watchdog for the palm oil industry must strengthen its standards to require all members to commit to ending deforestation – or risk becoming irrelevant, an
August 28, 2018
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by Bernadette Christina Munthe and Fransiska Nangoy (Reuters) Indonesia made public on Tuesday a revised regulation that gives the country’s palm crop fund more leeway to support the expanded use of biodiesel in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Indonesia announced plans this month to require all diesel fuel used in the country
August 24, 2018
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by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Malaysia, Chinese investors are keen to set up bio-processing businesses including a Beijing Sanju Environmental Protection and New Materials Co who is seeking to set up a $200 million plant that will use palm kernel shells, palm fiber, empty fruit brunches and palm oil milk effluent
August 23, 2018
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) For several years now we have seen a significant number of players pivoting from biofuels towards smaller but higher-value markets in chemicals, nutrition, nutraceuticals, pharma, materials, flavorings, fragrances, cosmetics and more. We’ve reported on the proliferation of applications both in the Digest and in What’s Nuu? and
August 9, 2018
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by Emily Chow (Reuters) Malaysia will implement a higher biodiesel mandate from the second half of 2019, raising the minimum bio-content local producers must put in biodiesel to 10 percent from the current 7 percent, in a move to support palm oil prices. The higher biodiesel blending mandate will soak up
July 19, 2018
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by Rachel Lau (Borneo Post) Palm oil will not be discriminated as a biofuel in the European Union, but the oil’s sustainability remains a key concern for its consumers and its industries. Earlier this year in January, the European Parliament (EP) voted to ban the use of palm oil for the production
July 12, 2018
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(IUCN) Banning palm oil would most likely increase the production of other oil crops to meet demand for oil, displacing rather than halting the significant global biodiversity losses caused by palm oil, warned an IUCN report published today (June 26, 2018). The IUCN report, Palm Oil and Biodiversity, is an objective analysis
July 11, 2018
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by Tan Xue Ying (The Edge) With numerous challenges dominating Malaysia’s palm oil industry, all eyes are on Teresa Kok as she officially begins as the minister of primary industries. … Other markets that the Malaysian palm oil industry could look at is the downstream sector and greater adoption of biodiesel. “The
July 11, 2018
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(GreenAir Online) The EU Council, European Parliament and European Commission have agreed a new post-2020 regulatory framework that includes an EU-wide binding renewable energy target for 2030 of 32% with a 14% for transport energy. The current Renewable Energy Directive (RED I) sets a 2020 target for 20% consumption but more
June 25, 2018
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(Borneo Post) The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) is elated on the latest development in the European Union (EU) which deferred the proposed total ban on palm biofuel to 2030 from the earlier date of 2021. Chief executive officer Datuk Dr Kalyana Sundram said on June 14, 2018, the EU trilogue
June 20, 2018
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(Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP)) Biodiesel imports from Argentina have increased considerably over the past several months. In contrast, imports of soybean oil as feedstock from Argentina have been virtually non-existent. The reverse trend can be seen in regard to imports from Indonesia. Since EU import duties were
by Cheryl Kalisch Gordon (Rabobank/The Land) A proposal to alter the EU’s overarching renewable energy policy has been announced, which would phase-out palm oil as a biodiesel feedstock by 2021, due to production sustainability concerns. … Malaysia and Indonesia, which account for 90 per cent of global palm oil supply and sell
June 5, 2018
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by Emma Lowry (University of Nottingham/Phys.Org) Engineers at the University of Nottingham Malaysia have developed new technology to help the global palm oil processing industry reduce CO2 emissions and create renewable energy from its waste. … Some 400 mills each produce huge amounts of waste, including kernels and husks from pressed
May 23, 2018
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(GrainNet) Industry and government officials from 17 countries in Asia and Oceania are meeting with members of the U.S. ethanol industry and U.S. officials in Minneapolis this week at the Ethanol Summit of the Asia Pacific (Summit), focused on current and future prospects for expanded ethanol use throughout the region. The
May 22, 2018
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Southern California the report has arrived that Verdezyne is winding down as a company, and today is the last day of operations. The low oil price environment has claimed another victim among the renewable chemical pure-plays. Why oil prices have doomed more chemical players than
May 16, 2018
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by Sudheer Mopperthy (Asian Age) The EU adopted this new fuel with rigour and pledged that by 2020, 10 per cent of all transport fuels in EU nations would be biodiesel. … The EU’s palm oil ban will effectively push three million small hold farmers into poverty and generate a disastrous ripple
April 6, 2018
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by Susan Heavey and Doina Chiacu (Reuters) The U.S. International Trade Commission said on Tuesday the dumping of biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia harms American producers, a move that locks in place duties on the imports. The commission’s final phase determination followed a Commerce Department move in February to add
April 3, 2018
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(Jakarta Post) The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry plans to expand the use of biodiesel to 3.5 million kiloliters annually by encouraging the mining sector and state-owned railway operator KAI to use the fuel. “I just reported the plan to use biodiesel for [trains operated] state-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api
March 21, 2018
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(Neste Corporation) … In order to truly have impacts in human rights, we have started identifying potential human rights issues and put in motion a plan to manage the associated risks, particularly in our palm oil supply chain. Engagement to ensure capacity building “Collective awareness and understanding of issues that have
March 13, 2018
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by Sangeetha Amarthalingam (The Edge Markets) The proposed palm biodiesel ban by the European Union (EU) parliament has bearings on negotiations on Malaysia’s plan to buy multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) from Europe. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein indicated a bilateral relationship involved all aspects and that it cannot be detached
March 13, 2018
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(International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) Tuesday 20 February 2018, Brussels, Belgium high profile speakers discussed on the latest updates on a broad range of topics: The future of bioenergy discussed by the European Commission and Member States RED II negotiations Implementation of policies on advanced biofuels and waste/residues in Member States
March 12, 2018
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by Bridget Asiimwe (The Observer) Uganda Investment Authority has entered a multi-billion deal with a Malaysian firm with an aim of transforming the country into a green economy by 2040 through a series of four integrated green projects led by bio-fuels. The $70bn project will be implemented by Bionas East Africa Group
March 5, 2018
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by Helena Taveres Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) … Environmental groups have long been against palm oil plantations on these crucial climate fighting forests. But consumers are using more palm oil products, from cosmetics to biofuels to food ingredients, and the demand for palm oil continues to increase, thus pushing along the expansion
February 5, 2018
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by Cheryl Kalisch Gordon (Rabobank/The Land) Only a month after the European Union confirmed Australian canola would satisfy the new 2018 greenhouse gas requirements for use in EU biodiesel, a proposal to alter the EU’s overarching renewable energy policy has been announced. The headline of this month’s proposal is for
By Ooi Tee Ching (New Straits Times) Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand will retaliate if the EU’s ongoing discrimination and attack on the palm oil industry becomes legislative, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong. On April 4 last year, the EU Parliament made a resolution to introduce
January 25, 2018
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by Kenneth Tee (MalayMailOnline) About 1,700 Malaysian palm oil smallholders today rallied against the European Union’s (EU) move to remove palm oil from its biofuels mix. The protest demanded that the EU withdraw its proposal to ban, after 2020, palm oil biofuels from a list of renewable fuels, claiming that it
January 17, 2018
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by Sarantis Michalopoulos (EurActiv) The European Commission’s proposal for the recast of the Renewable Energy Directive is in compliance with the EU’s commitments under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, Commission sources told EURACTIV.com, replying to threats from Malaysia to refer the case to the WTO. The sources stressed that there
January 12, 2018
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of biofuels mandates and targets around the world, looking at the state of biofuels mandates in 65 countries. The bulk of mandates continue to come from the EU-27, where the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) once specified a
January 2, 2018
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(Bangkok Post) … The commonly used biodiesel B100 reportedly has 13 factories producing 6.6 to 7 million litres a day, but national demand is around 3.3 to 3.5 million litres per day, said Sanin Triyanont, president of Thai Biodiesel Producers Association. According to the association, the new B100 factories are owned
December 27, 2017
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by Zunaira Saieed (The Star) FELDA, which harbours the largest population of oil palm smallholders in Malaysia, fully condemns the discriminatory act by the European Union (EU) to ban palm oil from entering its market. This year, the EU Parliament has passed two resolutions – to impose a single certified sustainable
December 26, 2017
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) With apologies to every other region around the world. we continue to see Asia as the epicenter of the biobased revolution over the next 20 years. The reasons are three and relatively straightforward: 1. Continued and robust economic growth. 2. Massive biomass resource. 3. Lack of
December 26, 2017
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by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) On November 7th, 2017, industrial experts, leaders and policy makers alike met for the 20th Annual World Ethanol & Biofuels Conference held in Brussels, Belgium to discuss how the future of de-fossilizing the transport sector might look. Representing the interests of European renewable ethanol
(Malay Mail Online) The vote on Nov 28, 2017 by the Industry, Research & Energy Committee (ITRE) of the European Union’s (EU) Parliament to endorse the ban on palm oil biofuels in Europe, under EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED) is a step backwards for EU-Malaysia trade relations. Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk
November 30, 2017
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(Reuters/Malaysian Digest) Researchers have created for the first time a detailed map that will help buyers and consumers of palm oil work out whether the supply chain is harming forests on the Southeast Asian island of Borneo. Developed over the past year, the “Borneo Atlas” was unveiled this week by the
November 28, 2017
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PALMEX MALAYSIA 2018 held once every 2 years is Malaysia’s largest specialized palm oil technology event that brings together an international congregation of palm oil companies and also its supporting industries gathered in the heart of the palm oil industry in Sibu,Sarawak, Malaysia to showcase the latest developments in the
(UkrAgroConsult/BlackSeaGrain) The single certification scheme for palm oil proposed by the European Union (EU) may be stricter than the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification, says an industry expert. “I have a feeling that the EU certification would be higher or stricter than the RSPO certification. Otherwise why [would they]
November 14, 2017
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last week, DowDuPont said it was exiting the cellulosic biofuels business and you’d think that the company just burned down the warehouse with the original text of the Renewable Fuels Standard — the coverage of the announce in few cases focused on the changes in DowDuPont’s
November 14, 2017
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by Jason Santos (Malaysian Insight) SABAH’s move for a full compliance of the Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) by 2025 is to ensure the survival of the sector, state forestry director Sam Mannan said. The move will also make Sabah the first in the world to adopt CSPO, with the state cabinet
November 7, 2017
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by Yamin Vong (The Sun) … The European Union is campaigning against palm bio-diesel and the European Parliament appears to be determined to ratify the Palm Oil and Deforestation of the Rainforests resolution that it passed on April 4. It’s in this environment that there should be increased research and development to
November 6, 2017
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by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) On October 9th the 10th European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology and the Bioeconomy kicked off in Brussels, Belgium, giving participants the opportunity to take part in a stakeholder workshop held by the European research project COSMOS which aims at reducing the dependence of imported plant oils
November 1, 2017
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by Arthur Neslen (The Guardian) MEPs have voted overwhelmingly to ban biofuels made from vegetable oils including palm oil by 2020, to prevent the EU’s renewable transport targets from inadvertently contributing to deforestation. A new palm oil regulation, minimum sustainability criteria, customs duty reforms and anti-deforestation articles in future EU trade
October 13, 2017
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by Sangeetha Amarthalingam & Wong Ee Lin (The Edge Markets) The European Union (EU) member states and Commission have no position in the European parliament’s resolution to discontinue the usage of vegetable oils in biodiesel by 2020, according to Ambassador of The Netherlands to Malaysia Karin Mossenlechner. The resolution targeting palm oil
October 12, 2017
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by Gwladys Johnson (Ecofin Agency) Malaysian firm Bionas plans to build plant where it will produce bio-fuel from Jatropha plant, in Zaria, Kaduna State. “Jatropha plant could produce aviation fuel and sell at the same price with fossil fuel. Every Nigerian would cultivate the crop, sell the seedlings for export. Our Nigerian
September 27, 2017
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(UFOP/Biodiesel Magazine) EU-28 biodiesel imports from the world’s three biggest exporters, Argentina, Indonesia and Malaysia, have dropped substantially since 2013. Whereas in 2012, Argentina still exported 1.48 million metric tons (444.3 million gallons) of soybean oil-based biodiesel and Indonesia shipped 1.09 million tons (327.2 million gallons) of biodiesel produced from palm oil into the
September 15, 2017
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(Prensa Latina) Malaysia and Indonesia are in talks on possible implementation of B5 biodiesel program in China, given the Chinese increased environment control in the palm oil market. According to the Malaysian Minister of Plantations and Commodities Industry, Mah Siew Keong, the new product is a blend of 5 percent
August 25, 2017
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by Michael Hirtzer (Reuters) Argentine biodiesel exports will be priced out of the U.S. market, its leading industry body said, after Washington decided on Tuesday to impose steep duties on imports that it said were unfairly subsidized. The countervailing duties on soy-based Argentina biodiesel could be as much as 64.17
August 23, 2017
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by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) Southeast Asia has considerable resources to produce liquid biofuels sustainably, using biomass feedstocks that would not cause carbon-dioxide emissions or interfere with food supply, according to a new report by the International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA). Fulfilling the region’s biofuel potential would depend on increased residue
August 15, 2017
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Biofuel Potential in Southeast Asia: Raising Food Yields, Reducing Food Waste and Utilising Residues
(International Renewable Energy Agency) Southeast Asia has considerable resources to produce liquid biofuels sustainably, using biomass feedstocks that would not cause carbon-dioxide emissions or interfere with food supply. Fulfilling the region’s biofuel potential would depend on increased residue collection from food crops and forest products, intensified cultivation of farmland, and reducing
July 25, 2017
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(The Star) Malaysia is targetting the export of palm oil and palm-based products to the Philippines to increase by 50% to RM3bil by 2020, from RM1.99bil recorded in 2015. Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong said the Philippines, which was flourishing with infrastructure development and with
July 25, 2017
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Industrial biotech’s biggest and grandest show, the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology, opened today in Montreal and BIO itself was in the newsframe with a striking report debunking myths around RIN price surges. 10 Hot Newstories from the World Congress Floor 1. Going commercial. Verdezyne
July 25, 2017
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by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Malaysia, during a meeting between the trade ministers for Malaysia and Indonesia, the countries expressed deep disappointment in the allegedly unfair treatment by the EU on palm oil in favor of other vegetable oils and commodities which they say also contribute significantly to deforestation. This EU
by Sybille de La Hamaide (Reuters) France will take steps to restrict the use of palm oil in producing biofuels in order to reduce deforestation in the countries of origin, French Environment Minister Nicolas Hulot said on Thursday. France has opposed other uses of palm oil in the past. Several
July 7, 2017
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Verdezyne is a privately held industrial biotechnology company that is developing and commercializing novel genetically engineered microorganisms for use as “factories” to manufacture renewable chemicals. Verdezyne’s unique microorganisms permit greener, cleaner and more cost effective production of chemicals compared with traditional methods. The Company is
July 4, 2017
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by Anthony Lim (Paultan.org) … Still, nothing like actual field tests to offer reliable evidence as to the suitability of B10, and that’s what the MPOB has done, announcing that the fuel has aced a long-term test carried out by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). In just a little over three-and-a-half-years,
June 15, 2017
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by Matt Rudolf (SCS Global Services/Biodiesel Magazine) Industry by industry, third-party certification of sustainability performance is increasingly helping to move the dial toward more responsible production and supply chain practices in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Nowhere is this more apparent that in the case of palm oil. Within the past few
June 14, 2017
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(U.S. Grains Council/Ethanol Producer Magazine) … Malaysia is one of the highest chicken-consuming nations in the world per capita. However, more than 60 percent of Malaysians are Muslim, meaning that chicken—including that produced by KFC Malaysia—must comply with Halal dietary requirements. Prior to talking with USGC, KFC Malaysia refrained from
May 23, 2017
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by Peter Sibon (Borneo Post) … In South East Asia, Indonesia is moving ahead of the rest of the pack to implement B20 – an oil mix which contains 20 per cent of biodiesel derived from palm oil – in its market since 2016. With a population of about 250 million
May 3, 2017
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(The Star) Malaysia and Indonesia will send a joint mission to Europe next month to counter the European Union (EU) resolution which proposed to curb the use of oil palm-based biofuel by 2020. Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Mah Siew Keong said he would be going to Europe with
April 26, 2017
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by Robin Augustin (Free Malaysia Today) Prominent economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram had said Malaysia’s research and development of biodiesel was ‘too modest’. — Malaysia has been actively carrying out research and development activities in palm oil-derived biodiesel since the 1980s, contrary to claims by a prominent economist that such efforts
March 30, 2017
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(The Star) Malaysia is expected to produce between 800,000 and 900,000 tonnes of biodiesel in 2017 from 500,000 tonnes last year when the government implements the biodiesel mandate, said the Malaysian Biodiesel Association. Its president, U.R Unnithan said the B10 mandate implementation is expected to start anytime this year. The
March 28, 2017
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by Syiffaa’ Musa (The Star) … Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and CIMB Foundation are collaborating to educate the public through a BioDiesel From Used Cooking Oil Programme. The project encourages the public to drop off their used cooking oil at one of three collection centres in UPM where it will be
March 14, 2017
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by Koh Jun Lin (Malaysiakini) Malaysia has not done enough research on palm oil derived biodiesel although Malaysian palm oil companies are well-poised to take advantage it, according to economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram. Countries such as Cuba, Brazil, the US and European countries have each enacted policies to promote biofuels
March 8, 2017
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by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) … According to the government figures, U.S. imports of German biodiesel were topped only by those of the Netherlands and Poland, reaching 85,000 tons (25.5 million gallons)—nearly seven times the volume imported in 2015. While German biodiesel exports rose 3.4 percent in 2016, its imports
March 8, 2017
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by William Thornton (AL.com) In a non-descript 40,000-square-foot building not far from the popular Tuscaloosa restaurant Waysider, a group of chemists and engineers are finding uses for the world’s industrial food-related waste. Inventure is making industry around the world rethink what they’re throwing away, and in the process finding ways
March 8, 2017
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by Daryll Law (Borneo Post) The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) will hold the Trans Borneo Expedition aimed at promoting the use of biodiesel fuel from today to March 5. The expedition aims to create awareness on the existence of the biodiesel programme
March 7, 2017
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by Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul (Deal Street Asia) Global Green Chemical Pcl (GGC), a subsidiary of Thailand’s leading chemical manufacturer PTT Global Chemical Pcl (PTTGC), is reviewing a plan to set up a multi-billion-baht biochemical complex in Thailand. … “We will start from setting up a sugarcane crushing plant and an ethanol plant
February 7, 2017
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week we reported from Thailand: “The government launched its 10-year plan to build a bioeconomy hub for the region with private and public sector investment expected to reach $11.3 billion as it focuses on sugarcane and cassava to feed modern biorefineries that will produce biofuels
by Jonathan Lee (Paultan.org) The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) has released a statement clarifying the facts regarding the oft-delayed B10 biodiesel. The fuel, which uses a blend of 10% palm methyl ester and 90% diesel, was supposed to be implemented last month, but was delayed indefinitely due
January 17, 2017
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(PR Web/American Process/MYBiomass) American Process Inc. (API) and MYBiomass Sdn. Bhd. (MYBiomass) will work together to develop technology to produce nanocellulose and cellulosic sugars from oil palm empty fruit-bunches, a lignocellulosic feedstock widely available in Malaysia. — API and MYBiomass announced a Joint-Development Work (JDA) for production of nanocellulose and
January 16, 2017
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by Samar Niazi (Platts) The palm oil and PME story in 2016 was dominated by acute drought across Southeast Asia, caused by the most severe El Nino event since 1997-98. … The after-effects of the El Nino caused a sharp drop in palm oil production, with Malaysia hit harder than Indonesia.
December 30, 2016
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CRISPY, sweet and a little bit salty, the pisang goreng is enjoyed as favourite tea time snack. Roadside stall owner Johar Melan uses vegetable oil to fry the banana fritters. Now, the used vegetable oil that is collected each month from his stall in Taman Chi Liung, Klang, together with
December 7, 2016
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by Ooi Tee Ching (New Straits Times) Indonesia is keeping to its B20 biodiesel despite palm oil prices surpassing RM3,000 per tonne, this week. The biodiesel B20 is a blend of 20 per cent palm methyl ester (PME) and 80 per cent regular diesel. In an interview with Business Times
November 25, 2016
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by Noel Achariam (Free Malaysia Today) Hauliers and lorry owners fear adverse effects on their vehicles if B10 fuel programme is forced on them without adequate tests to show it won’t cause any problems. — The Association of Malaysian Hauliers wants the government to conduct more research on the biodiesel fuel
November 25, 2016
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(US Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the 2017 Borlaug Global Research Alliance Fellowships. Fellows will work with a mentor at USDA’s Agricultural Research Service or a U.S. university for up to 12 weeks on climate change mitigation research. The U.S. mentor will
October 21, 2016
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by P. Chandra Sagaran (The Sun Daily) The increase in the use of palm-oil-based petroleum diesel bio-fuel will increase the demand of the commodity in the country. Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong said this is among the steps taken by the government to stabilise the price
October 11, 2016
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The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service publishes regular GAIN reports on biofuels in countries around the world. Some of the recent reports included the European Union (download), Japan (download), Philippines (download), Brazil (download), Colombia (download), Canada (download), Thailand (download), Indonesia (download), Malaysia (download), Argentina (download) and Australia (download). READ MORE
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The most important technological advance in biodiesel in recent years has reached commercial-scale in Eastern Nebraska, with the startup of the Duonix Beatrice biodiesel plant, which is and the first commercial-scale application of Benefuel’s innovative ENSEL technology. ENSEL technology is capable of converting a range
by Yamin Vong (The Sun Daily) A proposal to push through a controversial B10 bio-diesel next month hits more snags, much to the relief of car and oil companies that want validated testing of the palm-oil based fuel. Firstly, the proposed B10 biodiesel will cost more than the current Euro5 diesel
September 22, 2016
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by Hanim Adnan (The Star) After hitting several speed bumps on the road to realisation, the country’s stalled B10 biodiesel mandate for the transport sector is poised to take-off in the final quarter of this year, say industry observers. Initially slated for implementation in June, the higher B10 blend which combines 10%
September 15, 2016
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by James Cogan (Biofuels Digest/Pannonia Ethanol) … Together with their smaller peers they produce about 6 million tonnes of the fuel commodity annually, with combined revenues of around 4 billion euro. The product gets blended into petrol accounting for 4% of the energy needs of petrol vehicle owners. … Bioethanol is
September 6, 2016
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(Daily Express) Malaysia and Indonesia plan to appoint an “Ambassador of Palm Oil” to promote the benefits of consuming palm oil products in the international market. Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, said anti-palm oil lobbying group has given a lot of misrepresentations about
September 1, 2016
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by Susan Olson (Genscape/Biofuels Digest) Biomass-based diesel mandates for blending in transportation fuel have increased in many nations worldwide over the last year. In several of these countries, domestic biodiesel production is underutilized and many of these same countries are net exporters. These increases don’t necessarily create the opportunity for
September 1, 2016
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(Bernama) The Malaysian Biodiesel Association (MBA) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) to explore palm biodiesel investment and its export potential. In a statement today, MBA said the agreement would pave the way for its member companies to potentially export palm
July 22, 2016
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(Biofuels International) … The Southeast Asian country’s government wanted to introduce 10% palm oil biodiesel already in June, but the decision was delayed due to “inadequate data”, reports The Sun Daily newspaper. The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), together with various car makers including BMW Malaysia, Isuzu, Toyota, and Volkswagen have raised
July 21, 2016
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By Theophilus Kumah* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Energy is a great determinant in ensuring the growth of the economy of every country. Ghana, as a country, has faced some instability in the supply of energy for domestic and industrial use owing to the fact that it has over–relied on hydrothermal power
July 20, 2016
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(The Sun Daily) The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities will meet car manufacturers tomorrow to discuss the implementation of B10 biodiesel, said its minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong. … It was reported that various manufacturers – BMW Malaysia, Isuzu, Toyota and Volkswagen – had raised concerns in relation
July 18, 2016
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by Reddy, M. Amaranadha and Ahmed, Abu Saleh and Islam, Md. Saiful and Hamdan, Sinin andMaleque, Md Abdul (Universiti Putra Malaysia) Various heterogeneous catalysts are often used to produce biodiesel from non-edible crude oils. In this study a highly active heterogeneous calcium oxide (CaO) nanocatalyst with a diameter and surface area
July 8, 2016
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by Toh Wei Zheng (Platts) Southeast Asia could see a significant boost to its ethanol supply by using biomass as an alternative feedstock, an industry veteran said during the annual Wiz Ethanol and Biofuels Conference held in Singapore Wednesday. Chris de Lavigne, principal consultant at KPMG, pointed out that by-products
June 30, 2016
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by Jeremy Martin (Union of Concerned Scientists) Most discussions about biofuels center on ethanol, but biodiesel—a diesel-substitute made from vegetable oils and animal fats—is increasingly important as well. But where does biodiesel come from, and what does it mean for the climate? Like most important things, the answers aren’t black or
June 23, 2016
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by Mohan K Ramanujam (paultan.org) … In response to the implementation of B10 biodiesel for the transportation sector, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) sent a letter to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), claiming the usage of biodiesel in grades higher than B7 may result in fatty-acid methyl ester
June 17, 2016
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(Borneo Post) The implementation of the biodiesel 10 per cent blend (B10) programme for the transportation sector and the biodiesel seven per cent blend (B7) programme for the industrial sector will benefit smallholders, the Malaysian Biodiesel Association (MBA) said. … MBA in a statement yesterday said the implementation of the
June 10, 2016
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Blundermeisters of Media Misinformation are at it again. The world’s favorite advanced biofuel, biodiesel, gets another hit job from mainstream media. The Digest investigates. — AFP, the major international news service, reported last week that “Palm oil produced on tropical plantations that drive deforestation has
June 10, 2016
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by Christopher Teh Boon Sung (International Council on Clean Transportation) Reviews the environmental impacts of removing palm residues from plantations and estimates how much of this resource could potentially be used for advanced biofuels in Indonesia. ICCT commissioned this study by Dr. Christopher Teh Boon Sung, a professor at the University
April 25, 2016
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … In the world of fuels, Neste Oil has backed away from palm oil in order to expand in the US market on more favorable terms, with palm’s lowly status after indirect land use change modeling factors are added to its greenhouse gas emission profile. But
April 18, 2016
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(Latin American Herald Tribune) Colombian state-controlled oil company Ecopetrol said it was granted a patent by Malaysia to produce diesel that is cleaner and comes from renewable sources. “The Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) granted a patent for the process defined as ‘obtaining diesel from vegetable oils or animals
April 15, 2016
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(Bernama/New Straits Times) Johor is ready to lead the production of biodiesel as an alternative source of fuel energy and become a major global energy generator in the future. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the objective would hopefully, be achieved through the RM13 million oil and gas
April 4, 2016
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by Cécile Barbière (EurActiv) French MPs have approved an additional tax on palm oil. But sustainably-produced oil and imports for biofuels will be exempt from the tax. — France has increased the tax on palm oil imports, amid heated protests from big producing countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. This tax, proposed
March 22, 2016
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(merinews) … Giving the intensity of debate of food versus fuel debate, Naziz (Mintz-Habib)’s fascinating study explores how and in what circumstances Biofuel crops contribute to either perpetuating or alleviating poverty and food in security by considering the complex interactions among agricultural commodity and energy markets, climate change mitigating finance
by Carlos Araujo (Biodiesel Magazine/Evonik Corp.) Biodiesel is a real solution to reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the threat of climate change the world over. Many countries are adopting plans to reduce greenhouse gases, and biodiesel is an effective part of those measures. … There exist numerous possible ways to reduce
January 27, 2016
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by Anuradha Raghu and Yoga Rusmana (Bloomberg Business) Crude oil’s slump has been so severe that it’s now threatening the government-aided biodiesel programs in the world’s top producers of palm oil. Indonesia may miss its target of raising blending to 20 percent if crude stays below $30 a barrel, according to
January 19, 2016
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(Malaysiakini/Reuters) Malaysia is still committed to its plan to raise its biodiesel mandate to 10 percent despite low oil prices, a senior government official said today. Malaysia’s Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Douglas Uggah Embas said they were in the final stages of consultation with stakeholders on the B10 programme, which
January 19, 2016
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by Naveen Thukral (Reuters) The world’s top palm oil producers Indonesia and Malaysia may have to curb plans to channel more of the commodity into biodiesel as tumbling crude oil prices render the edible oil twice as expensive as its fossil fuel alternative. Indonesia expects to raise the minimum bio
January 14, 2016
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(Autodisplay Biotech GmbH) In November, an international consortium led by Autodisplay Biotech GmbH started Pathway EFB, a €1.6 million ($1.75 million) collaborative research and development project to significantly lower cellulase cost in the production of biofuels and biobased chemicals. The project builds onto Autodisplay Biotech’s proprietary cell surface display technology
January 4, 2016
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A mere “The Year in Rewind” as we reach the end of 2015? Not the good ship Digest! Instead, we dust off our crystal ball and peer into tomorrowland. As the sunset of 2015 gives way to the dawn of 2016, here at the Digest
January 4, 2016
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who mandates what in biofuels? 64 countries have targets or mandates — but how much where, and when, and what? In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of biofuels mandates and targets around the world, looking at the state of biofuels mandates in 64
January 4, 2016
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(Biofuels International) A team of experts from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and the University of Cambridge in the UK are embarking to research renewable energy and to develop biofuels for use in small machines like lawnmower. The research project also attempts to discover the most cost effective and low-emission biofuel
December 14, 2015
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(Fleets & Fuels) Installation Combines Membrane and PSA Technologies Yielding Biomethane-Based CNG for Palm Oil Mill Vehicles — Canada’s Xebec Adsorption has delivered its first “hybrid” biogas upgrading plant, a unit combining membrane separation and fast-cycle PSA/pressure swing adsorption technologies to produce biomethane for natural gas vehicles in Malaysia. The source of
December 9, 2015
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(ScandAsia.com) Scania Malaysia (Scania) and Agensi Inovasi Malaysia or Malaysia Innovation Agency (AIM) are to collaborate in exploring viable commercial opportunities for biofuels from municipal waste in Malaysia; in line with the National Biomass Strategy 2020 (NBS 2020). … Scania and AIM conduct a feasibility study on the commercial opportunities
December 8, 2015
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by Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn (News Locker) Voluntary measures and government targets are great – but it is legislation that will push European palm oil users to true sustainability. The food sector could learn a lesson or two from biofuel here. READ MORE
December 2, 2015
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who’s building what, where, now. 29 projects in construction or in commissioning in Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and the Americas Despite low oil prices, first-gen biofuels and advanced biofuels continue to develop, and especially in the developing world. In this report, we
November 18, 2015
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(Borneo Post/Bernama) In the light of the current haze Malaysians are facing, a local company, Biofuel Sdn Bhd, has come out with a solution to reduce carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide emissions. Its director, P Muguntha, said the company’s ‘Biofuel’ palm oil-based diesel additive saved fuel consumption by 17.7 per
October 21, 2015
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) All have soaring ambitions, some will be realized on schedule, some later, some probably not now or possibly ever. Where are 10 key projects that were announced in recent years for deployment in 2015-16. What’s happening and what happened? We’re looking today at status on
October 19, 2015
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) License agreement adds countries in Southeast Asia; Optional capacity for up to 75,000 metric tons per year; Targeting large-scale commercial production of renewable butanediol using Genomatica technology In California, BASF and Genomatica have expanded the scope of their license agreement for the production of 1,4-butanediol
September 28, 2015
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by Mohamad Azlan Jaafar (Malaysia Reserve) Several anti-palm oil groups are pressuring international manufacturers to boycott products from Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGVH), according to industry sources. FGVH, Malaysia’s largest oil palm planter, is being singled out for using “unfair labour practices” among other things. … Previously, anti-palm oil
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Verdezyne is a privately held industrial biotechnology company that is developing and commercializing novel genetically engineered microorganisms for use as “factories” to manufacture renewable chemicals. Verdezyne’s unique microorganisms permit greener, cleaner and more cost effective production of chemicals compared with traditional methods. The Company is
September 9, 2015
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by Jayson Beckman (US Department of Agriculture) Global biofuel production rose tremendously over 2001-13, led largely by rapid growth in the United States and the European Union (EU). Brazil, the second largest biofuel producer, doubled its production in that span. A favorable business and policy climate from 2001 to 2010 helped
September 3, 2015
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Glucan Biorenewables is producing furan derivatives from biomass. The furfural platform will be used to launch other value-added co-products: 5-hydroxyl-methyl furfural (HMF) and downstream derivatives The company’s TriVersa Process meets the need for a renewable, environmentally friendly process to deconstruct aggregated agricultural residues created from
August 24, 2015
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by V. Nilesh (Deccan Chronicle) The government’s national policy on biofuels which aims to blend 20 per cent biofuels by 2017 seems a farfetched dream, at least in the case of biodiesel in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana even though both states combined have about five biodiesel manufacturers, the highest number as
August 18, 2015
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(Biofuels International) Malaysia’s biodiesel exports surged twelvefold year on year to 46,601mt in July, bolstered by an open arbitrage to Europe. Exports are at their highest level since the Malaysian Palm Oil Board began reporting statistics in January 2008. READ MORE
August 17, 2015
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(Hellenic Shipping News) India’s newly launched biodiesel mandate would have limited impact on the region’s balances but could potentially help ease Malaysia’s crude palm oil surplus, market participants said Tuesday. … Reactions in the region were mixed, with some market participants expressing surprise as India has limited production of palm
August 13, 2015
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(Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) In July, the FAO price indices for oilseeds and meals rose by 3–4 percent compared to the previous month, gaining, respectively, 4 and 7 points. By contrast, after strengthening for two consecutive months, the index for vegetable oils decreased by 6 percent
August 11, 2015
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s been around for a generation or so — fast pyrolysis, that is. Though in the original low-tech incarnation — known as “cooking fire” — pyrolysis has been around since the dawn of man. But the numbers have never been so close to commercial, even
August 4, 2015
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by Sean Lin (Taipai Times) The EPA said more than 100,000 tonnes of biodiesel per year are made from recycled cooking oil, which have an estimated total value of about NT$3 billion The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) yesterday showcased the manufacturing of biodiesel refined from waste cooking oil, which the
July 10, 2015
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(Bernama/The Malay Mail Online) Some 1.22 million tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO) from the country’s stockpile will be utilised annually upon the implementation of the B10 biodiesel programme, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. The B10 is 10 per cent palm biodiesel blended with
July 3, 2015
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(Malaysian Digest) Barely two weeks after casting doubt on the viability of Malaysia’s B10 biodiesel fuel for car engines, Mercedez-Benz Malaysia today said the fuel is fine after all. In a statement, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia said: “After having initially stated that the B10 biodiesel blend requires further consideration, we are now
July 2, 2015
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(Paultan.org) Following BMW Malaysia announcing it found “technical challenges” running its diesel engines on B10 biodiesel (10% palm-based biodiesel/90% petroleum diesel blend, will reportedly be implemented nationwide by October), and that its engines can take up to B7, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, UMW Toyota and Volkswagen Malaysia have issued responses that echo
June 19, 2015
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(Platts) … In immediate reaction, market participants viewed the proposed obligations as bearish for corn-based ethanol (D6) RINs and bullish for biomass-based diesel (D4) RINs. Advanced biofuel (D5) RINs were expected to also track biomass-based diesel RINs higher, sources said. Moments before the numbers were released, ethanol RINs for 2015
June 2, 2015
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(Biofuels International) Palm oil is predominantly consumed for food applications, however in the last decade palm oil consumption for biofuels has increased considerably. According to Frost & Sullivan, global palm oil production is expected to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 5.9% in the period 2011 to 2020
May 29, 2015
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From remarks by Antonio De Palmas — president, Boeing Italy, at the World Bioenergy Leadership Forum … Aviation is 2% of all 2010 CO2e emissions, expected to grow to 3.5% by 2030. We cannot accept the status quo, because if we don’t do something to
May 26, 2015
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The renewable energy industry was saddened on March 3 by the news of the death of Guido Ghisolfi, Vice Chairman of the Mossi & Ghisolfi group and CEO of Beta Renewables. Mossi & Ghisolfi is a worldwide leader in the bottle-grade PET industry, owner of
April 28, 2015
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Farming the smart way is the way to stay ahead of game. To keep up with future demand, planters and farmers will need to work in smarter ways to increase productivity. Given the lack of interest among local labourers to work in plantations and the difficulty in employing foreign workers
April 20, 2015
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) To make fuel, chemicals, fiber, food more productively than ever before — it starts in the field with the New Agriculture. Here’s what’s happening as Silicon Valley converges with Silicon Farm. … Well, ultimately land productivity is the ultimate measure of agriculture, whether a venture
March 10, 2015
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s New, it’s Neo — the neodiesel companies — brimming with technologies to create cleaner alternatives to a powerhouse fuel. They have the performance, half the carbon, and a range of low-cost feedstocks to choose from. Now, neodiesel heads for Malaysia as a JV opens
March 4, 2015
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) …Here’s our most recent update, focusing on 10 key issues (though not ranked in order of importance): 1. Oil price volatility — will it stabilize? 2. RIN price volatility — will the rollercoaster end? 3. Ethanol blend wall — what’s the work-around? 4. Policy and
February 13, 2015
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(Daily Express) Kota Kinabalu: A biofuel expert based in China has identified Sabah as a suitable location for planting sweet sorghum that can produce biofuel. Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang recently met with Shi-Zhong Li, the executive director of MOST-USDA Joint Research Centre for Biofuels and deputy
February 11, 2015
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Teck Guan Group is a progressive multinational (Malaysia, China, Indonesia) oil palm plantation, palm oil mill, and oleochemical company. We are now converting our massive amounts of agricultural residues into biogas and liquid biofuels. The only oil palm empty fruit bunch- (EFB) fed pilot bioethanol
February 9, 2015
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(Bernama) A total of 366 petrol kiosks in Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan will be selling B7 palm oil biodiesel from the end of this month, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said. He said the environmentally friendly fuel, a blend of seven per cent palm oil
January 17, 2015
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As a newly-closed venture fund opens for business with a distinctly Malaysian flavor, we look at the state of venture capital and the new role of integrated sovereign investment. From California and Malaysia comes the news that Spruce Capital Partners and Xeraya Capital have announced
January 9, 2015
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