Wednesday, June 28, 2006

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 29,2006 -The Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) will be hosting a Talk on Biodiesel at The National Planetarium in Jalan Perdana, Kuala Lumpur this Saturday (July 1, 2006} .

The talk, entitled 'The Future of Biodiese/: Going Places?' will be presented by Tan Sri Datuk Dr Yusof Basiron FASc (Fellow Academy of Sciences Malaysia}, the Chief Executive Officer of MPOC.

The talk will focus mainly on the development of the biodiesel industry in Malaysia which is beginning to expand after many years of research in developing the technology and improving its viability on o commercial scale.

Escalating petroleum prices have stimulated the rapid expansion of the biofuel industry in most western countries especially in Europe. Biodiesel or scientifically known as methyl ester from rapeseed oil is already well established in Germany, which is estimated to have a production capacity of approximately 4.2 million in 2006 alone.

Locally, the palm based methyl ester technology developed by the MPOB is currently being commercialized with the recent construction of the first plant in Pasir Gudang, Johor in collaboration with the Carotino Group.

"More plants are being planned for construction in the near future," explains Tan Sri Datuk Dr Yusof Basiron FASc.

Research into biodiesel in Malaysia began as early as in 1982. Over 1'he years, the researches made have revealed that palm oil methyl esters or palm diesel is a suitable substitute for petroleum diesel at any proportion in diesel engines, without the need for any modification to the engine.

What makes the process more interesting is that, carotene and vitamin E can also be produced during the conversion process to produce palm methyl ester from crude palm oil. "Therefore, both the vitamins and the methyl esters can contribute significantly to the viability of the project, adds Tan Sri Datuk Dr Yusof Basiron.

Biodiesel, he adds, can be a lucrative export commodity, especially since its price is double that of the palm oil which is used mostly as feed stock.

However I competing demand for food and chemicals may limit the availability of palm based methyl ester to be used and converted as a diesel substitute.

Presently I the production of palm oil in Malaysia is only sufficient to replace the diesel consumption in Malaysia without much left to cater for food or for olechemical needs.

"This limited supply however, can be used as leverage for attaining a price improvement for palm oil," elaborates Tan Sri Datuk Dr Yusof Basiron,

It is also possible to develop a local blending of palm oil biofuel into the notional diesel system at 5% level and remove about 500,000 tonnes or approximately 30% of stocks per year.

'.Even if the 500,000 tonnes used for the blending have to be subsidized, the revenue earned from the sales of the rest of palm oil at the higher price will compensate any subsidy needed to make it feasible to blend the diesel initially", he says, adding that by using the leverage principle at the national level, the viability of the local biodiesel industry can be enhanced.

By having a local outlet for the biofuel through the blending system, even the palm biodiesel meant for export can be channeled to the local blending market if the export price is low. This in return will give the entrepreneurs the confidence to proceed with investment in the biodiesel projects in Malaysia.

For the record, Tan Sri Datuk Dr Yusof Basiron is also a board member of FELDA and Tabung Haji Plantation Berhad. Besides being an ASM Fellow, he is also a Fellow of the Malaysian Scientific Association (MSA} and the Malaysian Oil Scientists' and Technologists' Association (MOST A) .

This Saturday's Session will start at l0am; followed by a question and answer session. For further details on the lecture. please contact the ASM Secretariat at 03-2694-9898 or via email at seetha@akademisoins.gov .my.

About ASM
Academy of Sciences Malaysia was founded in September 1995 with the mission to pursue. encourage and enhance excellence in the fields of science, engineering and technology for the development of the nation and the benefit of mankind.

Its main activities among others include providing advice to the Malaysian government on matters related to science, engineering and technology which are of national importance; fostering a culture of excellence in science, engineering and technology in Malaysia; as well as assisting in upgrading the technological capability and competency of Malaysia industries.

In addition, the Academy is also responsible for promoting public awareness on the importance of science, engineering and technology in everyday life; as well as facilitates and coordinates international collaboration and cooperation.

ASM has 138 Fellows under its umbrella, out of which 5O are Foundation Fellows. The Fellows are drawn from eminent Malaysian Scientists, engineers and technologist in the field of medical sciences, engineering sciences, biological sciences, mathematical and physical sciences, chemical sciences, information technology and S & T Development and Industry .

SOURCE:ACADEMY OF SCIENCE MALAYSIA