Malaysia, China reach deal to expand palm oil supplies

Malaysia and China have signed a strategic agreement to develop palm oil supply chains in western China, expanding green industry cooperation between the two countries.

The MoU between the Malaysian Palm Oil Council and China’s New Land-Sea Corridor Operation Co Ltd will speed up logistics and trade along the Qinzhou-Chongqing port route, Business Times reported. Deputy Minister of Plantations and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the pact will help expand palm oil sales and production.

“Malaysia is keen to leverage its palm oil certification, which is among the highest in the world, to deepen institutional ties with China in areas such as carbon labelling, biofuels and green materials,” he said in a statement.

The publication also reported that Malaysia is collaborating with Chongqing Jiaotong University to develop palm oil-based polyurethane acrylate for anti-corrosion coatings. The effort is part of a larger program to expand the use of palm oil chemicals for industrial purposes in China. Joint research and development work is currently underway with Chinese firms to incorporate these derivatives into soup bases, snacks and eco-friendly personal care products.

Tags: China, Malaysia, palm oil