Malaysian Researchers Announce BioPro Diesel Discovery from Palm Oil Mill Effluent

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaya researchers on Friday announced their discovery of BioPro Diesel, a total diesel replacement, from palm oil mill effluent which has the potential to generate RM40 billion (US$12.55 bilion) yearly, while creating zero waste. The UM Centre of Innovation and Commercialisation (UMCIC) Deputy Director Dr Badrul Mohamed Jan said the BioPro Diesel, the result of bioprocess, contains 100 per cent unwanted waste from the palm oil industry. "It has been tested successfully on a Mitsubishi Storm, which has a commercial diesel engine," he told a media briefing. The palm oil mill effluent, after going through the bioprocess, willl result in five per cent BioPro Diesel, 65 per cent reverse osmosis water and 35 per cent biofertilizers, thus creating zero waste and will help palm oil millers to reduce the need for retention ponds. Badrul said the university has already filed for patentship for the invention locally with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia, and their next step would be to extend its coverage to file for the Patent Cooperation Treaty before marketing the product within the next two years. One of the lead researchers, Dr Ishenny Mohd Nor, from the Department of Chemical Engineering, said the university was in discussions with investors to establish plants, which would cost RM12 million (US$3.76 million) each. "We hope to start with one plant in Sabah and one plant here, probably in Klang or in Johor Baharu, by mid-next year," he said. Ishenny said many palm oil millers have showed interest as the production cost for the BioPro Diesel was only RM1.50 (US$0.47) a litre and rated better than the Euro 2M and 4M Standard. -- Bernama