FGV Biotechnologies, a subsidiary of palm oil giant FGV, recently launched a B100 biodiesel campaign at Fraser’s Hill, Pahang. If you’re wondering what’s B100, yes it’s 100% palm oil-based biodiesel, just like how the B10 blend has 10% of palm oil content.
The company says that the initiative isn’t just a step forward in the push towards the use of palm oil-based biodiesel, but a significant effort in supporting small-scale farmers and strengthening the local palm oil industry. “With the implementation of B100, we can strengthen Malaysia’s position as a leader in sustainable fuels, giving positive impact to the country’s economy and environmental sustainability,” FGV said in a statement.
The company did not elaborate on the trial’s goals or parameters, merely saying that it is now testing the performance and efficiency of B100 biodiesel on a passenger car for one year. The car in question is a Mazda CX-8, one of only a few SUVs sold in Malaysia with a diesel engine. Its 2.2-litre Skyactiv-D unit churns out 188 hp and 450 Nm of torque, and is paired to a six-speed conventional automatic gearbox.
FGV said that last year, it ran a pilot test of B100 biodiesel for four months on its tankers. Presumably, that went well and the palm oil company is now proceeding to test the fuel blend on passenger cars.
In 2023, Shell Malaysia launched a pilot test of B100 biodiesel-fuelled Scania tankers operated by Konsortium Port Dickson. FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) is the generic chemical term for biodiesel derived from renewable sources, and all Scania trucks have been FAME-compatible up to B100 since 2019.
High palm oil content in biodiesel is a good thing for palm oil-producing countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, as it reduces the country’s fuel bill (diesel is for the most part still subsidised by the government) and at the same time increases demand for palm oil, which boosts the economy. The National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) is aiming for B30 biodiesel by 2030. At the pumps, we’re currently at B10, and the B20 rollout has been plagued by constant delays.
By the way, if you’re curious about FGV’s choice of Fraser’s Hill, it’s probably an ‘extreme test’ for the fuel as there are concerns about the gelling of biodiesel at lower temperatures, which hill resorts like Fraser’s get. To learn more about biodiesel, here’s a deep dive.
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