As there’s a growing global demand for raw materials such as crude oil, many countries worldwide are actively pursuing the development of programs to promote the production and use of biodiesel. The Malaysian government recently mandated the use of more eco-friendly B7 Biodiesel to replace the B5 Biodisel starting next month. However, the price of the B7 Biodiesel will remain the same as the B5 Biodiesel price at RM2.20 per litre.
Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the B7 Biodiesel Programme would begin on Nov 1st for the subsidised sector in peninsular Malaysia and in December for Sabah and Sarawak. “The programme will be mandatory (for the subsidised sector) and all petrol stations will offer B7 biodiesel (in place of the B5 Biodiesel now being sold),” said Uggah.
The B7 Biodesel is a blend of 7% palm biodiesel and 93% petroleum diesel. Since you’re using a blend of natural sources, Biodiesel has lower greenhouse gas emissions than diesel. It is also environmentally friendly, biodegradable and reduces air pollutants associated with vehicle emissions besides helping to support the country’s palm oil industry.
“By using crude palm oil (to produce biodiesel), we can paint a picture that CPO is versatile. Biodiesel is also cleaner than normal diesel and it has a lower emission (than diesel),” he added.
Datuk Amar further added that the B7 Biodiesel programme would reduce use of diesel by 667.6 million litres and increase the use of biodiesel from 300,000 to 575,000 tonnes yearly.
[Source: The Star Online]
