B10 biodiesel implementation in Malaysia – we speak with MPOB’s biodiesel researcher, Dr Harrison Lau

B10 biodiesel implementation in Malaysia – we speak with MPOB’s biodiesel researcher, Dr Harrison Lau

As most of you are aware, Malaysia is in the process of introducing B10 biodiesel for public consumption. However, the road to its introduction has been a little bumpy to say the least, with multiple deferments over several months.

In that time, several manufacturers like BMW, Toyota, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Isuzu have voiced their concern about the usage of B10 in their vehicles. Additionally, a few other organisations and associations in Malaysia have urged the government to conduct further testing and discuss the matter beforehand.

Our colleagues from paultan.org/BM were part of a trans-Borneo convoy recently, where the vehicles travelled from Bintulu, Sarawak to Kundasang, Sabah exclusively using the new biodiesel blend. There, they managed to speak with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)’s research head of biodiesel technology, Dr Harrison Lau, to get him to answer a few questions.

Before we continue, a quick recap on the B10 biodiesel situation referred to here. The B10 blend that was slated to be introduced at petrol stations nationwide consists of 10% palm methyl ester and 90% regular diesel fuel.

B10 biodiesel implementation in Malaysia – we speak with MPOB’s biodiesel researcher, Dr Harrison Lau

As of now, fuel stations currently sell the B7 blend (7% palm methyl ester). However, the implementation of the B10 blend will only affect Euro 2M diesel in Malaysia, while Euro 5 diesel will continue to be a B7 blend.

The first question is related to the withdrawal of the B10 blend’s implementation, to which Lau said the move was due to high crude palm oil (CPO) prices, and not a technical reason. He explained that the Ministry Of Plantation Industries And Commodities (MPIC) had to wait for the price of CPO to “soften” to minimise the cost transfer to consumers.

According to Lau, once B10 biodiesel (Euro 2M) goes on sale at fuel pumps, there is a likelihood that it will cost up to 3-4 sen more per litre compared to B7 (Euro 2M). Euro 5 diesel, which will continue to be a B7 blend then, will continue to be priced higher than B10 by between 10-20 sen more.

When asked why consumers should support the switch to B10, Lau stated there are two benefits to be gained from its implementation – the first being an environmental one while the latter is technical.

B10 biodiesel implementation in Malaysia – we speak with MPOB’s biodiesel researcher, Dr Harrison Lau

For the former, the B10 blend will help lessen the effects of global warming and other the onset of acid rain, as well as increasing the quality of the air. From a technical aspect, the B10 blend is said to reduce the fuel consumption on diesel engines due to the better burn efficiency of the fuel.

With Malaysia being one of the major exporters of CPO in the world, the implementation of B10 will also help boost the nation’s economy, according to Lau.

He adds that the public should not be worried about using the B10 blend as many organisations have conducted thorough tests to ensure its feasibility. Aside from performing internal testing, MPOB has also worked together with the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).

From its testing, JAMA has approved the usage of biodiesel blends of up to B20 but there’s a catch. Only palm oil methyl ester can be used, and only on vehicles that have a maximum emissions rating of Euro 4.

Click to enlarge

The Japanese association also states that no modifications have to be made to a vehicle to use the B20 blend, but should a higher blend (B30 or even B100) be used, several components will need to be changed, chief among which is the fuel system’s hoses.

Currently, countries like Colombia, Argentina and the United States are already selling the B10 blend. Meanwhile, Indonesia has implemented the B20 blend, providing subsidies to make it cheaper than regular diesel to encourage its adoption.

As a result, the republic has managed to reduce its diesel imports by as much as 20%, and use its own CPO produced locally. As a side note, the manufacturer warranty for vehicles there remained unchanged.

B10 biodiesel implementation in Malaysia – we speak with MPOB’s biodiesel researcher, Dr Harrison Lau

Closer to home, Lau stated that MPOB itself have been using the B10 blend in a variety of vehicles it owns, including commercial vehicles like pick-up trucks, and diesel-powered passenger vehicles with no issues. Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) also uses B10 in 50 of its own vehicles.

For now, there’s no official word on when B10 will be fully implemented in Malaysia, but Lau says MPOB will continue to be in discussion with manufacturers on the matter. As a large proportion of diesel-powered passenger vehicles are Japanese, and given JAMA’s test results, it remains to be seen how brands will react.

As a closing note, Lau says the implementation of B10 has nothing to do with the excess reserves of CPO, because even with the current B7 blend, it only accounts for 1.8% or about 350,000 tonnes of total CPO output (19 million tonnes a year).

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • UMW TOYOTA on Mar 06, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    CPO price was drop rapidly…must gov make it cheaper to launch b10

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • Donald Dedak on Mar 07, 2017 at 10:47 am

      90% of all diesel vehicles are the dirty lorries and busses. They still use Euro 2M which is toxic and poison to the rakyat.

      We cannot even abolish Euro 2M diesel, we want to come out with Bio Diesel. No logic. Chicken and egg story.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Salmon King on Mar 06, 2017 at 6:43 pm

    MPOB succeeded in requested most of the truck brands to detune its 2017 vehicles to run the B10….hmmm wondering how much incentives given out?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • William on Mar 07, 2017 at 12:14 pm

      No, MPOB never succeeded. They just say what they like. Most diesel engine manufacturers are still not for it.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Donno on Mar 06, 2017 at 6:58 pm

    He didn’t mention about car brands like BMW,VW, audi, etc, about the hydroscopic nature of biodiesel that tends to absorb water from the atmosphere, causing serious problems with diesel injection systems.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Why stop at B10 when Indomee is alredi at B20?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
    • Semput on Mar 07, 2017 at 2:56 pm

      Kumpulan B40 di bandar merupakan golongan terpinggir.
      Golongan ini terdiri daripada kira-kira 11.7 juta warganegara Malaysia..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • Gaviny on Mar 06, 2017 at 8:32 pm

    Don’t ruin it for us please, seriously please , dont go and ruin it for us ,

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • “As a side note, the manufacturer warranty for vehicles there remained unchanged.”
    I will only believe this with official press statement from my vehicle’s manufacturer.
    Otherwise it’s all nonsense trick to sell more Palm Oil.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Good, I can send my bill to upgrade my diesel to use B10 to Dr Harrison. But if engine still spoil, will ask my service center to send him an invoice for a new engine for me.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • teropong on Mar 06, 2017 at 10:15 pm

    Hi Gerard,

    Is there any chance that the general public can get a hold of the journal/technical paper on the 508GT being tested? That would give much more insight on the environment and controlling variables applied on the vehicle and its compliance to test standards. One of the other main concerns in biodiesel implementation is the oxidative stress on engine oil as well as its long term impact on viscometrics. A study by Lubrizol in 2008 had indicated this phenomena. Bottomline, long term impact of Palm Methyl Esthers (PME)!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • Now waiting test result form the companies who said B10 is bad.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Silthice on Mar 07, 2017 at 8:21 am

    “It only accounts for 1.8% or about 350,000 tonnes of total CPO output (19 million tonnes a year).” Slightly reduce road tax for diesel powered car and car manufacturer will bring in more diesel variants to our market. This will contribute to more CPO utilization.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Tommy on Mar 07, 2017 at 9:57 am

    “once B10 biodiesel (Euro 2M) goes on sale at fuel pumps, there is a likelihood that it will cost up to 3-4 sen more per litre compared to B7 (Euro 2M).”

    how about no? you want to implement B10, you will need to reduce price not increase price.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • arowana on Mar 07, 2017 at 10:27 am

    they keep on emphasizing on positive environmental impact, how about the diesel engines??? does it really harm the diesel engines??? where are the specific details on the effect of this B10 biodiesel on the engine and how do the engines react to the biodiesel both short run & long run???

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • john is otak batu on Mar 07, 2017 at 11:56 am

    This Bio diesel ‘pet project’ not doing any good 4 rakyat. Our coutry needs electric hybrid technology. Pls pls, kill this future ‘chucky’ like project off! B4 this evil child turns bad.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Biodiesel derived from an actively consumed edible oil base makes no sense to me.
    CPO is in reasonable demand especially in SEA countries so unless it is not edible or in abundance and really low cost in its raw or processed form, why use it for fuel?
    Can we really produce enough biodiesel to satiate the demand and at a much lower cost to make it commercially sensible to substitute for mineral oil derived diesel?
    Is saving the environment a big enough motivation without the profit incentive?
    Oleochemical derivatives from CPO is even more lucrative, such a waste to use it for fuel don’t you think?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • chowloh on Nov 26, 2018 at 10:16 pm

    It’s just like robbing Peter to pay Paul. If I m the policy maker, I will lease land for only cooperatives and oil palm smallholders and not to oil palm tycoons.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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