Malaysia to test B100 palm biodiesel on agricultural machinery

Malaysian agribusiness company FGV Holdings has launched a new phase of trials of B100 biodiesel produced entirely from palm oil. Following successful testing in on-road vehicles, the company has expanded the program to plantation machinery to evaluate the fuel’s performance under daily operating conditions.

The six-month pilot project is being conducted at the Tun Abdul Razak Agricultural Research Centre (PPPTAR) and involves around 17 units of equipment. The trial includes tractors, agricultural machinery, power generators, and four-wheel-drive vehicles used in daily plantation operations.

FGV will gradually assess fuel consumption, engine performance, equipment reliability, maintenance requirements, and biodiesel quality throughout the pilot. The company said any decision on wider deployment of B100 will be based on operational data collected during the trial.

FGV Chairman Abu Huraira Abu Yazid said that amid growing volatility in global energy markets, palm oil has significant potential to strengthen Malaysia’s energy security and enhance the competitiveness of the country’s palm oil industry. According to him, the government’s decision to increase the mandatory biodiesel blend to B20 reflects Malaysia’s commitment to expanding the use of renewable fuels.

FGV is one of the world’s largest crude palm oil producers, accounting for about 3% of global output and 14% of Malaysia’s production. The company manages more than 413 thsd ha of plantations, produces around 2.92 mln tons of crude palm oil annually, and operates in seven countries across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Tags: Malaysia, palm oil, biofuel