PASIR GUDANG: Malaysia’s use of palm-derived feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) does not pose a negative perception risk among European buyers, as the commodity continues to meet recognised sustainability standards.
Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said used cooking oil (UCO) in the country’s primary SAF feedstock, enjoyed a strong rating in Europe and remained fully accepted as a high-quality raw material.
“We have no issue on that front. Malaysia also has the Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification, which assured international markets that every metric tonne of palm oil is produced sustainably,” he said after visiting the EcoCeres Renewable Fuels Sdn Bhd biorefinery in Tanjung Langsat here today.
Johari said Malaysia, as the world’s second-largest palm oil producer, held a strategic supply advantage in the emerging SAF industry.
The national SAF initiative, he added, formed part of country’s broader strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions and expand low-carbon business activities.
Earlier reports had raised concerns over the suitability of palm-based feedstock for SAF, particularly due to longstanding European perceptions surrounding deforestation and environmental compliance.
Johari also said the ministry was working with the transport ministry to introduce a 1 per cent SAF blending mandate for international flights departing Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
He said a nationwide UCO awareness and collection campaign run with Petronas Dagangan Bhd since July 2023 had gathered more than 1,200 tonnes of UCO from nearly 66,000 consumers at 89 participating stations.
Johari was on a working visit to Malaysia first SAF biorefinery here in Tanjung Langsat, today.
The EcoCeres Renewable Fuels Sdn Bhd’s plant began producing commercial-grade fuel since October.
The facility is capable of producing 350,000 tonnes of SAF a year.
Johari said the plant marked a major milestone in strengthening the nation’s biofuel and biomass sectors as global demand for low-carbon aviation solutions accelerates.
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