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by Mei Mei Chu (Today) Malaysia, the world’s second largest palm oil producer, will take legal action against the European Union’s restrictions on palm oil-based biofuels with the World Trade Organization (WTO), calling the policy a “discriminatory action”. Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said on Wednesday the
Malaysia
July 1, 2020
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(The Edge Markets/Bernama) With demand for crude oil dropping sharply, leading to a steep fall in crude oil prices, the viability of the biodiesel business has also weakened significantly, putting both Malaysia and Indonesia’s biodiesel mandates under pressure. However, there is a silver lining in the dark clouds, as the world has seen
June 26, 2020
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(Neste) Neste has updated its traceability dashboard which provides detailed data on the company’s palm oil and palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD, a processing residue of refining food-quality palm oil) supply chains. The site provides a map service from which users can find the locations of Neste’s suppliers and review data on suppliers’
May 22, 2020
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(Biofuels International) Malaysian palm oil producers have been urged to use technology to improve yield as the industry wrestles with concerns about sustainability, the chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) revealed. Malaysia, the world’s second biggest palm oil producer, has set a cap of 6.5 million hectares on
May 1, 2020
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by Mei Mei Chu (Reuters) Malaysia’s Commodities Ministry has asked companies to delay the nationwide implementation of the B20 biodiesel mandate as the country grapples with the coronavirus outbreak, according to an official letter reviewed by Reuters on Thursday. The mandate for biofuel with 20% palm oil component will be delayed
April 16, 2020
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by Samantha Wright (Independent Commodity Intelligence Services) European glycerine spot prices faced triple digit increases this week as availability tightened significantly, with players concerned that upstream biodiesel production will fall further through the second quarter. Refined vegetable glycerine prices shot up €130/tonne on the low end and €230/tonne on the high
April 7, 2020
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(IHS Markit/FO Licht) There is also early evidence that as restrictions have been lifted in China, more people there are preferring to travel by private cars or taxis rather than taking public transport—it is highly likely this will happen in Europe too. … For the EU-27, diesel demand in 2020
April 7, 2020
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(UFOP/Biodiesel Magazine) The vegetable oil markets are currently extremely calm. The coronavirus pandemic is creating pressure in the financial and commodities markets and also pulling down spot prices for oilseeds and byproducts. Above all, crude oil has lost substantial ground in the wake of the oil output dispute between OPEC and
April 1, 2020
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(Palm Oil Monitor) This week Indonesia and the EU are meeting in Geneva for a WTO consultation over the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED). The meeting is the culmination of a months-long public battle of words over the introduction of the measure. Over the past few months Indonesian lawmakers and
February 28, 2020
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(The Edge Markets/Bernama) Malaysia will engage four European countries next week on the direction of the Malaysian oil palm industry, to address the widespread anti-palm oil campaign in the continent. Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said she would expound on the four policies of the national oil palm industry to government representatives
February 5, 2020
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(Bernama/The Edge Markets) The Department of Standards Malaysia (Standards Malaysia) has developed two new Malaysian standards, namely MS123-4 High PME diesel fuel — Specification — Euro 2M and MS 123-5 High PME diesel fuel — Specification – Euro 5, in support of the national B20 biodiesel programme. B20 is a blend
January 30, 2020
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by Mei Mei Chu (Reuters) Average palm oil prices will surge 17.9% this year, a Reuters poll of industry participants showed, as reduced output in the first half of the year and higher biodiesel consumption in top producers Indonesia and Malaysia tighten the market. … Indonesia and Malaysia together account for
January 22, 2020
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(Biofuels International) A new study carried out by economic modelling experts from Purdue University in the US has found the impacts of US biofuel policy on deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia to be insignificant. The study, titled ‘US Biofuel Production and Policy Implications for Land Use Changes in Malaysia and
January 21, 2020
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(Government Europa) Italian regulators today (January 15, 2020) fined Italy’s oil giant Eni over advertisements on TV and in newspapers, digital media and petrol stations that falsely claimed Eni Diesel+ was ‘green’. The watchdog states that the marketing campaign deceives consumers when it claims that the ‘green’ diesel has a positive
January 16, 2020
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by Telly Nathalia (Jakarta Globe) he European Union had provoked a “trade war” by issuing discriminative restrictions on Indonesian palm oil, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo tweeted on Saturday. “Indonesia has 13 million hectares of oil palm plantations that produce 46 million tons [of crude palm oil, or CPO] per year. The EU
January 14, 2020
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(Bernama/Sun Daily) The island of Langkawi has begun using the 20% Biodiesel blend methyl esters content or the B20 Biodiesel in the transport sector since Jan 1, 2020. Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok (pix) said Petronas through the Kampung Tok Senik petrol station in the island has become the first petrol station in
January 8, 2020
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(Malay Mail/Bernama) At least 50 per cent of the crude palm oil (CPO) windfall tax will be channelled to the biofuel stabilisation fund, which is expected to be set up within the first quarter of this year, says Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok. … Earlier in the forum, she said
January 7, 2020
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 64 countries have targets or mandates – but how much where, and when, and what? Besides the EU, the major blending mandates that will drive global demand are those set in the US, China and Brazil – each of which has set targets – or, in
January 2, 2020
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by Donavan Lim (S&P Global Platts) Indonesian PME exports to sink; CPO production stalls; B30 to support consumption — Analysts and traders fixated on the elevated crude palm oil stockpile at the beginning of 2019 are left cheering as CPO stocks fell across Malaysia and Indonesia while prices rallied to MR 2,684/mt (US
December 27, 2019
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(Bernama/Sun Daily) The B20 biodiesel programme for the transport sector is expected to be launched in phases next year, that would give a fillip to the crude palm oil (CPO) price which is projected to reach RM3,000 per tonne. Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok Suh Sim (pix) said the programme
December 20, 2019
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by Jane Chung (Reuters) * S.Korea No.1 biofuel maker testing marine fuel products – exec; * Clear IMO guidelines, legislation for biofuel blending needed; * Says capacity expansion under consideration — SK Chemicals , South Korea’s top biofuel maker, has started tests on blending its biodiesel with petroleum-based fuels to create low-sulphur marine oil
December 16, 2019
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(China Dialogue/Future Fuel Strategies) … But the positive changes have been more than negated by growth in demand for unsustainable palm oil from other markets. No country plays a larger role than China, the chief destination for Indonesian exports and among the top consumers of palm oil. Imports of palm oil into
December 13, 2019
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by M Razi RahmanSuharto (Antara News) The Indonesian government should formulate a roadmap for the use of 30 percent blended biodiesel (B30) in the maritime and fishery sector since it will have a wide-ranging impact on maritime aspects, an executive stated. “The vast majority of business agents engaged in the
December 13, 2019
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(Malay Mail/Bernama) Crude palm oil (CPO) prices would be able to sustain its current upward momentum if governments, particularly those from the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), could coordinate allocation increases under the biodiesel mandates, says palm oil expert Dr James Fry. Fry, who is also the chairman of
December 11, 2019
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How can the oleochemicals industry contribute to the global movement towards a sustainable future? What are the challenges that market players need to be aware of? Are there opportunities that will drive a remarkable growth in the Asian market? The Asian market continues to establish itself as “the next big
December 6, 2019
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by Elizabeth Pineau (Reuters) France’s parliament on Friday voted to remove tax breaks for the use of palm oil as a biofuel, a day after a ruling in favour of maintaining the advantage led to howls of protests from environmentalists. A large majority of members present voted against a government-backed proposal
November 18, 2019
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(Market Insider/Sunway Hotels & Resorts) Sunway Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality division of Malaysian conglomerate Sunway Group, partners with FatHopes Energy for the recycling of its used cooking oil into biodiesel, taking another significant step on its commitment towards a sustainable environment. Through this sustainability initiative, more than fifty percent (50%)
November 13, 2019
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by Nur Yasmin (Jakarta Globe) Djoko Siswanto, secretary general of the National Energy Committee, said Indonesia is developing green fuel as an end-product of palm oil, to reduce the country’s reliance on costly oil imports. Green fuel is a mix of palm oil and regular fuel. “We are testing it at two
November 7, 2019
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by Lucas Hall (ICIS) An increase in global biodiesel production is likely to further lengthen the world’s glycerine supply glut in 2020 as higher biodiesel mandates increase the supply of crude glycerine by-product. … One factor market participants are watching is the growth of renewable diesel production around the globe. Renewable
November 7, 2019
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by Sherell Jeffrey (Daily Express) Sabah’s biomass is grossly underutilised and industry players don’t seem to be very enthusiastic despite the State having what it takes for them to take full advantage of the situation, from raw materials, infrastructure and government support, according to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie
October 16, 2019
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by Hans Nicholas Jong (Mongabay.com/Eco-Business) A European member of parliament says the bloc isn’t concerned about threats by Indonesia and Malaysia to file a trade complaint over an EU policy to phase out palm oil-based biofuels by 2030. The two Southeast Asian countries have denounced the EU policy as discriminatory. — The
October 15, 2019
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by Tan Xue Ying (The Edge Markets) Concerned by the impact of low commodity prices on livelihoods of Malaysians in the plantation sector, the government has proposed a palm oil replanting loan fund of RM550 million. In the budget speech 2020 in parliament today, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the
October 15, 2019
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by Geert De Clercq and Gus Trompiz (Reuters) France’s constitutional court on Friday upheld a law excluding palm oil from the country’s biofuel scheme, rejecting an appeal by energy company Total (TOTF.PA) which says the measure puts at risk its production site in southern France. The legislation will remove palm
October 14, 2019
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by Rahimi Yunus (Malaysian Reserve) CEO says R&D into aviation biofuels requires studies on how the alternative fuel burns compared to kerosene-based jet fuels — Low-cost carrier AirAsia Group Bhd could be introducing biofuel-powered flights in the future with research and development (R&D) underway as airlines want to cut jet fuel costs
October 4, 2019
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by Zaidi Isham Ismail (New Straits Times) Malaysia is on track to export MSPO (Malaysia Sustainable Palm Oil) certified palm oil to Europe by next year. Malaysia Palm Oil Certification Council (MPOCC) chief executive officer Chew Jit Seng said the MSPO certification scheme is important as it will allow the country’s
September 19, 2019
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(Bernama/Daily Express) The Malaysian Palm Oil Board and FGV Holdings Bhd are conducting a trial project for the use of a blend of 20 per cent palm biodiesel and 80 per cent petroleum diesel, namely B20, for diesel vehicles.The board’s Director-General Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said the FGV Transport
September 18, 2019
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by Andrew Kessel (Proactive Investors) The plan is to investigate the potential of sugars and glycerol derived from cellulose to be converted into hydrocarbon molecules for use in fuels or chemicals –Gevo Inc (NASDAQ:GEVO), a renewable fuels company, announced Tuesday that it has signed a joint development agreement with Leaf
September 11, 2019
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by Roy Goh (New Straits Times) The Lahad Datu palm oil industrial cluster (POIC) port in Lahad Datu earned its stripes as a facility capable of dealing in hazardous industrial chemicals after handling its first shipment of methanol recently. Tanker vessel MT Nylex 1, on Wednesday, brought in a shipment of
August 30, 2019
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Algae has a lot of recent federal support, and this presentation takes us there. The Advanced Algal Systems is working on a host of strategies to focus on enhacing productivity, feedstock, quality and robust yields while developing higher-value bioproducts. Alison Goss Eng, Program Manager, Feedstock
August 21, 2019
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by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Malaysia, as part of bilateral dialogue with the European Union over the past three months, in an attempt to resolve the impasse over palm oil’s indirect land use change impacts and future ban into the European market, the country is urging the European Union to accept and
July 31, 2019
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(Bernama/The Sun Daily) The implementation of the B10 Biodiesel programme will continue to give positive impact on palm oil prices, with consumption of the country’s palm oil expected to increase by up to 800,000 tonnes by the end of this year, the Dewan Negara was told today. … The B10
July 29, 2019
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(Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP)) France is tightening up regulations on the use of palm oil as a feedstock in biofuels production. However, this only applies to palm oil eligibility within France. As a result, biofuels produced in France could push their way onto the EU market,
July 29, 2019
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(Bernama/The Sun Daily) Malaysia will submit a complaint to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by November to challenge the European Union’s restrictions on palm biofuel, according to Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok Suh Sim. She said documents related to the complaint are currently with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC). … Kok said
July 15, 2019
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(Xinhua) The German government is expecting global palm oil production to grow and is calling for “globally coordinated measures to implement deforestation-free cultivation”, according to a response to a parliamentary inquiry first reported on by the German press agency (dpa) on Tuesday. “Due to the almost unrivalled yields, interest in the
July 3, 2019
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by Lauren Crothers (South Africa Today) -Norway saw drop in palm oil consumption following new regulations limiting sales in response to concerns about deforestation for plantations. -The decrease has been lauded by a Norwegian rainforest advocacy group, which called it a “big win for rainforests.” -Indonesia and Malaysia, the world’s
June 24, 2019
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(Daily Express/Bernama) Amid the uproar over the European Union’s (EU) discriminatory move against palm oil, one player in the Malaysian palm oil downstream sector seems unperturbed and is in fact expecting better demand for its products this year from European clients. Gamalux Oils Sdn Bhd, which makes feedstock materials for biodiesel
June 18, 2019
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by Marta Gomez San Juan, Anne Bogdanski and Olivier Dubois (Food and Agricultural Organization) … )T)his report offers lessons from 26 case studies of sustainable bioeconomy interventions from around the world and from a range of different sectors. The overall aim of the report is to use these case studies to expand the general understanding of
June 11, 2019
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by Beh Yuen Hui (The Star) Some 180 sanitary trucks will use biodiesel containing Malaysian palm oil in a pilot project to test its feasibility on Chinese vehicles. The programme will be carried out by Tsinghua University in collaboration with Beijing TUS-Deqing Bioenergy and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). … (Primary Industries
June 4, 2019
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(The Sun Daily/Bernama) Poland is against the European Union’s (EU) proposed plan to ban the use of palm oil as a component of biofuels, and stressed that the republic does not intend to reduce the demand for Malaysian palm oil. Polish Ambassador to Malaysia Professor Krzysztof Debnicki said that Poland –
May 29, 2019
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(Sime Darby) Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP) today launches ‘Crosscheck’, an open access online tool that allows everyone to trace sources of SDP’s palm oil supply down to the mill level. This latest effort by SDP represents a major step forward for the Company in its journey to create a deforestation-free
May 29, 2019
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(U.S. Grains Council/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol could generate significant cost savings while boosting octane in fuel supplies in Indonesia. That’s the message the U.S. Grains Council and its partners are conveying to Indonesian importers and government agencies to promote increased ethanol use in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing gasoline
May 28, 2019
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Primary Industries Ministry, Palm Oil Board to Sign MoU with Tsinghua University on Biofuel Research
(Bernama/Malay Mail) The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tsinghua University, China, for research on palm oil as biofuel. MPI Minister Teresa Kok said with the MoU in place, China will be increasing its palm oil imports
May 27, 2019
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(Today Online) Malaysia is expected to allow for a higher percentage of palm biodiesel blends over the next few decades, the international trade and industry ministry said. The ministry said in a statement on Saturday that it is working with the Primary Industries Ministry to include a so-called “B20/B30-ready” specification for vehicles.
May 27, 2019
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(Rainforest Foundation Norway) Norway’s consumption of palm oil biodiesel saw a 70 percent drop from 2017 to 2018. “A big win for rainforests and the climate. Now the rest of Europe must follow suit”, says Rainforest Foundation Norway. … The all-time high consumption of palm oil based fuels in Norway in
May 14, 2019
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(Bloomberg Quint) Franky Widjaja, head of one of the world’s biggest palm plantation companies, warned that the European Union’s plans to restrict use of the tropical oil in biofuel will misfire … READ MORE Major palm oil player says EU’s karma will suffer and eventually will have to compromise on ban
May 7, 2019
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by Ida Nadirah Ibrahim (Malay Mail) The federal government has allocated RM5 million insurance for vehicles fuelled with B10 biodiesel, which contains 10 per cent palm oil. Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said consumers can claim the insurance if proven that the vehicle engine has broken down as a result of
April 30, 2019
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by Yiswaree Palansamy (Malay Mail) Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said the ministry is planning to produce biofuel using palm oil for the aviation industry, in a bid to boost palm oil sales and to reduce carbon emissions. In a special media interview on Thursday, Kok said the move fulfils Malaysia’s
April 29, 2019
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by Afiq Aziz (The Malaysian Reserve) … The aviation sector can play a crucial role in boosting Malaysian palm oil, which has been saddled with discrimination in the West, low prices and high inventory. As debates are still ongoing on palm oil fuel for vehicles, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)
April 19, 2019
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by Dr. Joya Mannan (Market Screener/Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station) Dr. Mohammad Alam, head of the Fats and Oils Program at the Process Engineering Research and Development Center (PERDC), has received a grant from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board to fund several semesters of teaching and short courses about the significance of
April 10, 2019
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(BBC News) The palm oil industry originated in West Africa but is now dominated by massive plantations in South-East Asia. The BBC’s Tamasin Ford reports that Ivory Coast, and other African countries, are trying to take the lucrative business back home to tap into its profits. An hour’s drive to the
April 5, 2019
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by Clare Pennington, Izham Ahmad, Steven McGinn (ICIS) Trans-shipments of ethanol from the US to China are taking place in renewed efforts to thwart US-China tariffs, including ship-to-ship transfers, several sources in Asia and Europe have confirmed. Importing US ethanol into China carries a penalty of up to 70%, one of a
March 28, 2019
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(Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP)/Biodiesel Magazine) Imports of biodiesel to Germany increased sharply in 2018. The rise was triggered by overabundant supply of state-subsidized and consequently low-priced biodiesel from Argentina. The Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) fears that a similar development will take place after
March 20, 2019
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(Reuters/The Express Tribune) Malaysia on Saturday threatened to bring a World Trade Organisation (WTO) challenge if the European Union goes ahead with recommendations to phase out palm oil from transport fuel used in the bloc. In a list of criteria published on Wednesday, the European Commission concluded that palm oil cultivation
March 18, 2019
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by Ewa Krukowska (Bloomberg Quint) The European Union set new criteria for the use of palm oil in biofuels in a balancing act to try to avert a trade war with producers in Asia while appeasing climate protagonists at home. The measure approved by the European Commission on Wednesday spells out the
March 14, 2019
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(Malaysia Ministry of Primary Industries) 1. The Ministry of Primary Industries led by the Secretary General, YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Tan Yew Chong is currently in Brussels, Belgium to participate in the Stakeholder Meeting On High And Low Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) Risk Biofuels Under The Recast Of The Renewable Energy
March 8, 2019
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(Attis Industries/Globe Newswire) The Company aims to harness their proprietary technology through multiple biomass processing facilities to cater to the rising demand of ethanol, carbon fibre, and other products. Attis Industries (ATIS) took its first big step in the field of renewable energy when the Company acquired the ethanol production facility
March 5, 2019
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By Eric Quah (The Star) QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd, the operator of KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants, has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with fuel conversion company FatHopes Energy Sdn Bhd to deploy sustainable practices and eco-friendliness in its operations by processing cooking oil waste into biofuel. The initiative
March 5, 2019
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by Basten Gokkon (Mongabay/Eco-Business) Environmental activists have criticised Indonesia’s two presidential candidates, Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto, for not addressing the negative aspects of palm oil production, which both are pushing as a feedstock for biodiesel. Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his challenger in this year’s election, Prabowo Subianto, have both vowed
February 25, 2019
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(Bernama/Borneo Post) Malaysia and France will hold joint dialogues and strengthen engagements to promote better understanding of the palm oil industry, said the Primary Industries Ministry. Its minister, Teresa Kok said this followed a courtesy call on her from French Ambassador to Malaysia Frederic Laplanche here yesterday where they discussed ways
February 21, 2019
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by Akane Okutse, (Nikkei Asian Review) Japanese biotechnology startup Green Earth Institute is set to expand into Southeast Asia with plans to manufacture petrochemical substitutes from biomass. The company plans to start producing in Malaysia from 2022, and is looking to launch similar projects in other parts of the region. Founded in
February 20, 2019
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(BiofuelWatch) BiofuelWatch report about aviation biofuel producer WorldEnergy boosts fears that large-scale biofuel use for aircraft would have to rely on palm oil. — A new report [1] about aviation biofuels, published by the environmental NGO Biofuelwatch [2] today (February 11, 2019), exposes the strict limits to the amount of such fuels
February 12, 2019
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by Chris Prentice and A. Ananthalakshmi (Reuters) In June, the High Seas tanker ship loaded up on ethanol in Texas and set off for Asia. Two months later – after a circuitous journey that included a ship-to-ship transfer and a stop in Malaysia – its cargo arrived in China, according to shipping data
February 7, 2019
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by Stephen Gardner (Bloomberg) European Union must propose rule on biofuel crops that cause deforestation or other land-use change by Feb. 1; Palm oil would be phased out as biofuel feedstock in EU, U.S. soybean farmers could benefit — U.S. soybean companies could be the big winners if an upcoming European Union rule on
January 24, 2019
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(MSN News) The Malaysian aviation industry has joined the government’s efforts to counter the anti-palm oil campaign in Europe, with airports and airlines ready to bring Putrajaya’s “Love MY Palm Oil” tagline to foreign visitors. The Ministry of Primary Industries today said Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad (MAHB), Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Airways
January 23, 2019
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by Joseph Sipalan (Market Screener/Reuters) Malaysia plans to double the mix of palm oil in its biodiesel programme by 2020 in a bid to reduce high domestic stockpiles and boost sustainable energy sources, the government said on Thursday. Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said the government intends to increase the amount of palm
January 18, 2019
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(The Star) French energy group Total said a move by lawmakers to exclude palm oil from raw materials approved for use in biofuel would put at risk its La Mede facility in southern France. French lawmakers last month voted to remove palm oil from the country’s biofuel scheme as of 2020,
January 15, 2019
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by Anuradha Raghu (Bloomberg) Certified variety costs more and buyers won’t pay premium; Only half of the sustainable output is actually being sold — The world’s biggest growers of palm oil say they’re stepping up efforts to produce the contentious commodity more sustainably, but consumers are unwilling to pay more for environmentally friendly
January 14, 2019
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PALMEX MALAYSIA 2019. Palmex Malaysia 2019 is the only specialized Palm Oil event in Asia that brings together an international congregation of both upstream and downstream palm oil companies and also its supporting industries gathered in the heart of the Malaysian Palm Oil Industry in Sarawak to showcase the latest
January 4, 2019
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, the Digest today (January 1, 2019) 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)
January 2, 2019
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(Reuters/Investing.com) Norway’s plans to ban biofuels containing palm oil from 2020 are set to provide a major obstacle to long-running trade talks between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Malaysia, a Kuala Lumpur government minister said on Friday. A Norwegian parliament recommendation to ban biodiesel “with high deforestation risk” was
December 28, 2018
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(Free Malaysia Today/Bernama) Malaysia is scheduled to hold a meeting with Indonesia and Colombia in Jakarta next February to discuss the French National Assembly’s decision to exclude the use of palm oil as a biodiesel feedstock. Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said the French National Assembly’s decision posed a challenge to
December 26, 2018
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top innovations for the week of December 26th. In today’s Digest, enemy submarine detecting microorganisms, algae-based polymers, edible antimicrobial film, limestone-based bags, soybean oil based road sealant — these and more,
December 26, 2018
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(Universiti Malaysia Sabah/Phys.Org) Researchers are investigating ways to improve biodiesel production by using electrical fields to break open microalgae cells with varied results, according to a new study in the Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology. Lipids inside microalgae are a promising source of biofuel. Microalgae cells must first be broken apart
December 18, 2018
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(GlobeNewswire/ResearchAndMarkets.com) The “Malaysian Biodiesel Mandate”report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. This study offers a detailed overview of the biodiesel mandate in Malaysia and the steps taken by the Malaysian government to protect the Malaysian palm oil industry. Palm oil is a key ingredient in the biodiesel produced in Malaysia. Biodiesel is the main
December 17, 2018
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by Amar Shah Mohsen (Sun Daily) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has challenged Malaysia to emulate Indonesia’s move to introduce a higher biodiesel mandate — the B20 biodiesel fuel — by 2020 and become the world’s top biodiesel-producing country. The Prime Minister noted that neighbouring Indonesia has surpassed Malaysia as the largest palm
December 11, 2018
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(Sun Daily) Petroleum companies have two months to switch from the current B7 (a blend of 7% palm methyl ester and 70% petroleum diesel to B10 biodiesel before its mandatory implementation on Feb 1, 2019. Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said B10 biodiesel (a blend of 10% palm methyl ester and
December 5, 2018
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by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In the UK, virtual NGO SumOfUs has gathered nearly 75,000 signatures on a digital petition demanding the European Commission to ban palm oil as part of the regulatory process that will see it publish a report on “high ILUC risk” feedstocks by February 1, 2019. Calling out deforestation
November 21, 2018
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by Stephanie Searle & Jacopo Giuntoli (International Council on Clean Transportation) The European Union (EU) will continue incentivizing the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels through its recast Renewable Energy Directive for 2021-2030 (RED II). This directive includes a provision to limit and phase out by 2030 the contribution of
November 21, 2018
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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
November 15, 2018
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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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(Ports Europe/Dairio del Puerto) The Free Trade Zone of Cádiz has recovered energy product traffic operations, absent since 2003, thanks to the Olivia Petroleum company, which has unloaded 7,000 metric tonnes of biodiesel at the Ribera dock. The operation, involving biodiesel imported from the Malaysian port of Port Klang, has been developed in
October 30, 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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