7/8/06 (The Edge Daily) - An international conference on biodiesel will take place in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 22-23, which will be participated by leading international biodiesel experts.

The conference, entitiled “Biodiesel: Renewable Energy”, will feature 15 speakers from the United States, Japan, Britain, Brazil, Australia, India and Southeast Asia.

In a statement on Aug 7, the conference organiser, CoreVentus (M) Sdn Bhd, said the delegates would share their fresh insights, case studies and experience, as well as their views on the challenges and opportunities in the fast-growing alternative fuel industry.

Its managing director M Sundara Rajoo said Malaysia was set to make the switch from petrol-based diesel to biodiesel blends to be made mandatory in 2008 after a Biofuel Bill was tabled in Parliament this year.

The government has to-date approved 32 biodiesel projects, with a combined production capacity of about three million tonnes.

He said the conference was supporting the government’s effort to promote the palm-based biofuel industry as a new source of economic growth and to cut oil imports.

“Biodiesel is already the fastest-growing alternative fuel in America and Europe.

“It is well-documented as cleaner burning and reduces greenhouse emissions while offering similar performance to petroleum diesel,” he said.

The conference will touch on several topics including the latest updates on biodiesel production technologies, feedstock sources, blending and handling options, distribution, marketing, financing and investment opportunities.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board director-general Datuk Mohd Basri Wahid will deliver the keynote address. The event is endorsed by the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre and POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd.