B100 biodiesel trial in Malaysia by palm oil giant FGV

B100 biodiesel trial in Malaysia by palm oil giant FGV

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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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Hing Gu Ming on Mar 06, 2025 at 9:56 pm

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    Palm based FAMe cost more than fossil diesel at current cpo price. More FAME content = more subsidy if pump price remain

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Dah Menang Semua on Mar 07, 2025 at 4:46 pm

      Higher palm-derives
      Got higher performance
      Or cheaper diesel onot?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • DarthVader on Mar 06, 2025 at 10:22 pm

    Wish the best of luck to FGV. Bravo

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • good to know Malaysia is putting effort in developing science and technology. kudos

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Lets See on Mar 07, 2025 at 12:01 pm

    If its 100% palm oil, is it still diesel?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Deesel on Mar 07, 2025 at 8:20 pm

      They have never called it diesel. They called it biodiesel…..its a type of diesel just like vindiesel

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • It’s called Bio-Diesel which means it’s type of diesel based on palm based oil

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Mohd Noorfazly on Mar 07, 2025 at 2:16 pm

    Harga per liter berapa ye?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • As long as it doesn’t end up clogging up the fuel system like Indonesia’s lousy biodiesel.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • AntiScam on Mar 10, 2025 at 12:17 am

    These scums won’t reveal the truth to you that palm oil based diesel will get you higher fuel consumption because the energy content from palm oil diesel is significantly lower than crude oil based ones.
    And remember MCO times where petrol was cheap but cooking oil was expensive and always not in stock. If more palm oil is converted to fuel , there will be less for food.
    Palm oil is food not fuel.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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