Malaysia approves 91 biodiesel licenses

The Malaysian government has approved 91 licenses with a total approved capacity of 10.2 million tons of biodiesel, Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Senator A. Kohilan Pillay, said. As of the end of October 2008, 14 plants are in operation with a total production capacity of 1.68 million tons, he said. In 2007, Malaysia produced 129,715 tons of palm-based methyl ester of which 95,013 tons valued at 253.2 million ringgit (US$71 million) were exported. Kohilan said that to further promote the use of renewable and sustainable forms of energy, the government approved the mandatory blending of 5% palm methyl ester with petroleum diesel for use in stages in the country. (December 1, 2008)