B10, B7 biodiesel programmes start in June
The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities said in a statement yesterday that both programmes would help to reduce dependence on petroleum diesel and minimise greenhouse gas emissions.
The ministry said by increasing the blend for the transport sector to B10 (a mixture of 10% methyl ester and 90% petroleum diesel) and B7 (7% methyl ester and 93% petroleum diesel) for the industrial sector, it would help to boost palm oil prices.
Following the announcement, the statement said all diesel to be sold at the retail pumps nationwide will be B10 beginning June 2016.
The B5 programme, which was introduced in June 2011 for the transport sector, was later upgraded to B7 in December 2014 and implemented in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) CEO Datuk Mohamad Madani Sahari said the National Biofuel Policy 2006 under the purview of Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities is expected to make the implementation of a local biofuel programme as one of its strategic thrusts.
“Biodiesel is a clean alternative fuel with lower gas pollu- tants and it reduces the dependence on fossil fuels, making B10 biodiesel a strong contender in meeting our future energy demands,” Mohamad Madani said yesterday in an email reply to The Malaysian Reserve.
The biodiesel used in both programmes will be supplied by the Malaysian Biodiesel Association which consists of 22 members throughout Malaysia.
The implementation of these two programmes for the transport and industrial sectors is expected to contribute to annual consumption of 709,000 tonnes of crude palm oil domestically.
The programme is able to save up to 820 million litres of diesel a year and 2.16 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, while reducing greenhouse gas emission by 45% by 2030 based on 2005 emission intensity.
The ministry said the government has conducted a series of stakeholders’ engagement with transport sector representatives, namely Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Malaysian Automotive Association, petroleum companies and biodiesel producers.
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, representing the industrial sector, was also consulted.
Mohamad Madani said MAI has been gathering input from ministries as well as industry players pertaining to the proposal to introduce B10 biodiesel.
He said the general direction is to conduct a common testing platform to determine the compatibility of B10 biodiesel within the Malaysian automotive market.
“We are currently in the process of adding participation from the European OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) in the testing activity. As homologation requirements differ across the globe, we are working towards a testing method that is compatible with as many models as possible,” he said.
According to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, the current concerns over B10 are on fuel filter plugging, injector deposits, engine oil dilution or degradation, material compatibility, component damage in engine and engine performance.
Therefore, the introduction of the B10 would require detailed discussion and further consideration.
Mohamad Madani said MAI believes the consultation and discussion should focus more towards maintaining the stability, prosperity and the development of Malaysia’s automotive and palm oil industries as well as promoting renewable energy that contributes to a cleaner environment.
Source: The Malaysian Reserve | Read More Here
Hits: 2270
