18/1/06 BANGI, (Bernama) -- Major countries in the world including Germany, are applying for a licence to operate a winter technology biodiesel plant using palm oil, said Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) director-general, Tan Sri Dr Yusof Basiron.

He said the winter technology, first in the world, was among the achievements made by MPOB during his tenure as the director-general in the last 14 years.

With this technology, it is suitable to use palm oil during winter in cold countries as otherwise, the palm oil cannot be used because it will freeze.

"We are now considering the application. However, priority will be given to the Malaysian investors to license their technology first," he told a press conference at his farewell gathering, here Wednesday.

Dr Yusof said two Malaysian companies, namely Oil Tech and Lipochem (M) Sdn Bhd, (partners of MPOB) had been given licences to build bio-fuel plant here.

This bio-fuel plant would also use the winter fuel technology," he said adding that the plant was expected to start operating by August this year.

Being a research institute, Dr Yusof said MPOB was one of the most productive agencies in producing technology and new innovations which contribute directly to the palm oil industry.

Up to 2005, MPOB has offered 302 technologies for commercialisation, and 30 percent has been commercialised by the private sector or small and medium scale industry.

On patent, Yusof said filing of patent had been a culture for MPOB since the introduction of its intellectual property policy in 1999.

To date, he said MPOB had filed 121 inventions in many countries.

A total of 31 inventions were given the patent, while the rest still under process.

Prior to his retirement, Dr Yusof was appointed as the Malaysian Palm Oil Promotion Council chief executive officer, which takes effect from Thursday.

His deputy Dr Mohd Basri Wahid will be the acting director-general.

-- BERNAMA