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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
Malaysia
(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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(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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