The depletion of fossil fuels, coupled with the increasing awareness of environmental protection, has led to concerted and escalating R&D efforts in search of renewable and environmental-friendly alternative energy sources. The recent strong demand for renewable fuels has resulted in tremendous increased production of biofuels worldwide. As major producer of palm oil, Malaysia through MPOB has carried out extensive R&D on the production of biodiesel from palm oil and its products since the 1980s. MPOB has now become one of the successful technology providers for the production of biodiesel with the building of its first commercial plant in 2006. The homegrown palm biodiesel production technology is comparable if not better than overseas technologies. This is due to the in-depth understanding of the indigenous properties and characteristics of palm oil. The biodiesel produced meets the stringent quality requirements of the international biodiesel specifications, namely ASTM D6751 and EN 14214.
According to the World Commission on the Environment and Development,
sustainable development is defined as development that ‘meets the needs
of the present without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs’. Sustainable palm oil production comprises
legal, economically viable, environmentally appropriate and socially
beneficial management and operations. Thus, the use of sustainable palm
oil for the production of palm biodiesel will make the Malaysian palm
biodiesel industry sustainable. This concept focuses primarily on the
proper practices required to achieve sustainability.
From the economic point of view, the utilization of the bioenergy
such as biodiesel may not be as economically attractive as using
conventional energy, but this should not prevent its widespread use as
the concern towards depletion of the fossil fuels and increasing
environmental concerns must also be addressed.
