MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Biopro Diesel To Generate Rm40 Billion Annually
Biopro Diesel To Generate Rm40 Billion Annually
24/12/2013 (Bernama) - The BioPro Diesel invented by local scientists can potentially generate RM40 billion annually, in addition to providing a better solution to oil palm waste disposal.
Dr Ishenny Mohd Noor, the lead researcher from the Chemical Engineering Department of Universiti Malaya (UM) is so confident on the potential of the fuel generated from palm oil mill effluent.
The usage of BioPro Diesel would also help the government save some RM10 billion in subsidies over the next three years.
"Before this, the government spent RM46 billion on diesel subsidies from 2003 to 2012. Even after the recent subsidy cuts, the government is still spending RM21 billion on subsidies annually", he told Bernama.
Global Demand
Unlike the biodiesel introduced by the U.S., the BioPro Diesel is expected to contribute to the country's economic growth.
The sustainable fuel has yet to hit the markets but has already been recognised worldwide.
Dr Ishenny said two U.S companies based in Texas and Pittsburgh have already expressed interest in the environmentally friendly product.
"Besides that, a company in Neidenburg, Germany and in Ireland, United Kingdom are also interested in either importing the BioPro Diesel or setting up a processing mill there", he revealed.
Processing mills would also be built in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Kelantan. The mills would take six months to be completed with a cost of RM30 million each.
Dr Ishenny said the university would use funding from local finance institutions to set up the processing mills locally and overseas, with the aid from the insurance company Lloyd's of London.
The university is currently in discussion with companies like Petronas, IJM Plantation Bhd, Sime Darby, Felda and Felcra for possible cooperation.
Using Palm Oil Affluent
When asked on the secret formula in transforming palm oil effluent into BioPro Diesel, he replied: "That is the formula that we have patented under UM with the number PI 2011700182".
After undergoing the BioProcess, oil palm mill effluents will produce five percent BioPro Diesel, 65 per cent reverse osmosis water and 35 per cent bio fertiliser, resulting in zero waste. This would also help oil palm mills reduce the need for disposal ponds.
Palm oil effluent processing mills would need to invest up to RM12 million to produce 25 tonnes of BioPro Diesel a day.
An Idea Born From the Love of Nature
Dr Ishenny, an a nature lover, said he loved fishing and walking along rivers.
The idea to create a fuel product other than petroleum came from the dismay he felt when Malaysian rivers became polluted with oily waste, and the public apathy towards the problem.
"When I found out the oily matter was palm oil mill effluent, I started to think of how to eliminate the pollution while making something useful from the effluent", he said.
He said he was initially belittled for his effort.
"Nobody believed in the product. They said I was crazy and a dreamer. They said it was something impossible to make", he said.
Even after 12 years of product research and testing, many were still skeptical of the efficacy of the renewable fuel. So much so, that no company was willing to even sponsor a car for testing.
"In the end, I had to dig deep into my own pockets to buy a Mitsubishi Storm to be used in the study", he said.
However, his perseverance paid off. With help from colleagues Dr Badrul Mohamed Jan, Prof K.B. Ramachandran, Dr Brahim Si Ali, Ir. Dr Masitah Hasan, Prof Ir. Dr Mohd Azlan Husain and Prof Dr Nik Meriam Nik Sulaiman, they were able to create a product that would benefit the country's growth tremendously.
Dr Ishenny Mohd Noor, the lead researcher from the Chemical Engineering Department of Universiti Malaya (UM) is so confident on the potential of the fuel generated from palm oil mill effluent.
The usage of BioPro Diesel would also help the government save some RM10 billion in subsidies over the next three years.
"Before this, the government spent RM46 billion on diesel subsidies from 2003 to 2012. Even after the recent subsidy cuts, the government is still spending RM21 billion on subsidies annually", he told Bernama.
Global Demand
Unlike the biodiesel introduced by the U.S., the BioPro Diesel is expected to contribute to the country's economic growth.
The sustainable fuel has yet to hit the markets but has already been recognised worldwide.
Dr Ishenny said two U.S companies based in Texas and Pittsburgh have already expressed interest in the environmentally friendly product.
"Besides that, a company in Neidenburg, Germany and in Ireland, United Kingdom are also interested in either importing the BioPro Diesel or setting up a processing mill there", he revealed.
Processing mills would also be built in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Kelantan. The mills would take six months to be completed with a cost of RM30 million each.
Dr Ishenny said the university would use funding from local finance institutions to set up the processing mills locally and overseas, with the aid from the insurance company Lloyd's of London.
The university is currently in discussion with companies like Petronas, IJM Plantation Bhd, Sime Darby, Felda and Felcra for possible cooperation.
Using Palm Oil Affluent
When asked on the secret formula in transforming palm oil effluent into BioPro Diesel, he replied: "That is the formula that we have patented under UM with the number PI 2011700182".
After undergoing the BioProcess, oil palm mill effluents will produce five percent BioPro Diesel, 65 per cent reverse osmosis water and 35 per cent bio fertiliser, resulting in zero waste. This would also help oil palm mills reduce the need for disposal ponds.
Palm oil effluent processing mills would need to invest up to RM12 million to produce 25 tonnes of BioPro Diesel a day.
An Idea Born From the Love of Nature
Dr Ishenny, an a nature lover, said he loved fishing and walking along rivers.
The idea to create a fuel product other than petroleum came from the dismay he felt when Malaysian rivers became polluted with oily waste, and the public apathy towards the problem.
"When I found out the oily matter was palm oil mill effluent, I started to think of how to eliminate the pollution while making something useful from the effluent", he said.
He said he was initially belittled for his effort.
"Nobody believed in the product. They said I was crazy and a dreamer. They said it was something impossible to make", he said.
Even after 12 years of product research and testing, many were still skeptical of the efficacy of the renewable fuel. So much so, that no company was willing to even sponsor a car for testing.
"In the end, I had to dig deep into my own pockets to buy a Mitsubishi Storm to be used in the study", he said.
However, his perseverance paid off. With help from colleagues Dr Badrul Mohamed Jan, Prof K.B. Ramachandran, Dr Brahim Si Ali, Ir. Dr Masitah Hasan, Prof Ir. Dr Mohd Azlan Husain and Prof Dr Nik Meriam Nik Sulaiman, they were able to create a product that would benefit the country's growth tremendously.