PT Pertamina
Date: 2021-01-18
In Jakarta, Indonesian state energy company PT Pertamina reports it has begun trials to produce as much as 3,000 bpd of 100 pct :green" biodiesel from palm oil at its Cilacap refinery on Java island.

While the B30 programme uses fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), green diesel uses refined, bleached and deodorized palm oil (RBDPO), which is palm oil that has been refined to remove free fatty acids and purification to remove color and odor. Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer, currently has a mandatory B30 biodiesel blending programme but is keen to expand the use of palm oil for energy as it aims to slash fuel imports.

Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer, currently has a mandatory B30 biodiesel blending programme but is keen to expand the use of palm oil for energy as it aims to slash fuel imports, according to the release. (Source: PT Pertamina, PR 15 Jan., 2021) Contact: PT Pertamina, pcc@pertamina.com, www.petramina.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News PT Pertamina,  Palm Oil,  Biodiesel,  

Malaysian Palm Oil Board
Date: 2021-01-13
In Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board reports the Malaysian government is delaying the national roll out of it 20 pct biodiesel (B20) transportation fuel mandate likely until Dec., 2021.

This is the second postponement to Kuala Lumpur's programme to lift the mandate from B10 because of the pandemic having pushed back the implementation in May to 1 January from 15

The B20 mandate is expected to double domestic biodiesel consumption to around 1.06mn t/yr once fully realised. (Source: Malaysian Palm Oil Board, PR, Jan., 2021) Contact: Malaysian Palm Oil Board, www.mpob.gov.my

More Low-Carbon Energy News B20,  Biodiesel,  Biodiesel Blend,  Malaysian Palm Oil Board ,  

Indonesia Palm Oil, Palm Biodiesel
Date: 2020-09-11
In Jakarta, the Indonesia, Economic Affairs Ministry report it plans to revise its palm oil export levy rules to allow higher collection when prices increase. The levy supports the country's mandatory B30 biodiesel programme by financing the gap between the production cost of fuel made from palm oil and from the crude oil price.

Since June this year, Indonesia has collected a maximum $55 levy per tonne on palm oil exports, regardless of the price. The new levy will hinge on export prices, according to Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. (Source: Minister for Economic Affairs, ZAWYA, 9 Sept., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Biodiesel,  Indonesia Palm Oil,  B30,  

Pertamina
Date: 2020-08-31
In Jakarta, Indonesia's oil and gas company PT Pertamina is estinating the country's total sales of biodiesel with 30 pct palm oil content will drop by roughly 12 pct to 28.2 million kilolitres (KL) this year.

Pertamina estimates Indonesia's biodiesel sales will total 31.5 million KL for 2021. (Source: Pertamina, Market Screener , 31 Aug., 2020) Contact: Pertamina, pcc@pertamina.com, www.pertamina.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Pertamina,  Palm Oil. Biodiesel,  Indoneasia Biodiesel,  

Palm Oil Biofuel
Date: 2020-07-17
In Oslo, the Norwegian Parliament has voted to ban the biofuels industry from purchasing and using unsustainably produced palm oil and palm oil related products that are directly or indirectly associated with deforestation and climate change.

In September 2018, Greenpeace reported at least 25 palm oil exploiting companies -- Colgate-Palmolive , General Mills, Hershey, Kellogg's , Kraft Heinz, L'Oreal , Mars, Mondelez, Nestle , PepsiCo , Reckitt Benckiser, Unilever and others -- were to blame for the disappearance of 1,300 square kilometers of Indonesian jungle. (Source: The Swamp, Tewodros Kore News, 16 July, 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Biofuel,  Climate Change,  Deforestation,  

Pertamina
Date: 2020-07-15
In Jakarta, Indonesian state oil company PT Pertamina is reporting production of its first 100 pct palm oil biodiesel (D100) at its refinery in Dumai last week. With this initial success, the company plans to quickly ramp up production to 1,000 bpd, according to a release.

Indonesia, which has one of the world's most ambitious biodiesel programmes, raised the bio-content in its biodiesel mandate from 20 pct to 30 pct (B30) in 2019, with the goal of gradually reaching 100 pct.

Indonesia is the world's largest palm oil producer. (Source: PT Pertamina, PR, Reuters, 8 July, 2020) Contact: Pertamina, pcc@pertamina.com, www.pertamina.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Pertamina,  Biofuel Blend,  Palm Oil,  Biodiesel,  

Indonesia Palm Oil, Palm Biodiesel
Date: 2020-07-01
In Jakarta, in a move to support producers and artificially lower the price of biodiesel at the pump to keep it competitive with regular diesel, the Indonesian government reports it is earmarking $195 million from state palm oil fund (BPDP-KS) to subsidize palm oil and palm oil biodiesel producers.

According to TuK Indonesia, an NGO advocate for environmental justice, the estimated total wealth of the top 27 families in the palm oil industry at more than $88 billion -- roughly 8 pct of the country's GDP . Among the top producers, Wilmar International, which produces 2.3 million kiloliters per year of palm oil biodiesel, is the major recipient of Indonesian government subsidies to the palm oil industry. Wilmar scored 55 pct of the total $530 million from the BPDP-KS distributed to five palm oil companies in 2017. (Source: Various Media, Mongabay, 1 July, 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil news,  Biodiesel.Indonesia Palm Oil news,  

Indonesia Palm oil
Date: 2020-05-11
In Jakarta, the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs Indonesia has announced the government will likely delay its planned raising of its present 30 pct (B30) palm oil blend rate to 40 pct (B40) by 2022, as previously reported. The Indonesian biodiesel programme is a key part of the government's strategy to use excess palm oil and curb fuel imports, one of the main contributors to the country's current account deficit problem.

The delay is being attributed to disruptions in world fuel demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic. (Source: Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs Indonesia, The Star, 9 May, 2020) Contact: Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs Indonesia, www.developmentaid.org/#!/donors/view/143865/coordinating-ministry-for-economic-affairs-indonesia

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  B40,  B30,  Indonesia Palm oil,  Biodiesel,  Biofuel Blend,  

Malaysian Biodiesel Affiliation
Date: 2020-04-17
In Jakarta, the Malaysian Biodiesel Association is reporting the postponement of the nationwide implementation B20 biodiesel palm oil program due to additional travel restrictions aimed at curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Malaysian B20 mandate was first rolled out in January and was scheduled to be totally carried out throughout the nation by mid-June 2021. (Source: Malaysian Biodiesel Association, Global News Hut, 16 April, 2020) Contact: Malaysian Biodiesel Association, www.mybiodiesel.org.my; Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Dr. Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir, www.mpob.gov.my

More Low-Carbon Energy News Malaysian Palm Oil Board,  B20,  Biodiesel,  Palm Oil,  

Palm Oil Producers Association
Date: 2020-03-30
In Jakarta, the Palm Oil Producers Association (GAPKI) is reporting Indonesian palm oil exports to China fell from 3.72 million tons in December 2019 to 2.39 million tons in January this year -- a staggering 35.6 pct drop.

In 2019, China imported a total 6 million tons of palm oil from Indonesia, representing 16.5 pct of Indonesia's overall palm oil exports during the year.

Outside of CPO, palm oil kernel (PKO) and palm oil-based biodiesel exports also declined while palm oil oleochemicals exports rose by 22.9 pct, according to GAPKI data. Despite the export slowdown, domestic palm oil consumption increased slightly to 1.47 million tons in January from 1.45 million tons in December 2019, in line with the government's mandatory upping of the biodiesel blend rate to B30 in Jan this year -- rising to B50 by the year end. (Source: Palm Oil Producers Association, Jakarta Post, 30 Mar., 2020) Contact: Palm Oil Producers Association, www.gapki.id; Indonesian Biodiesel Producers Association, +62 2129380882, office@aprobi.co.id, www.aprobi.or.id

More Low-Carbon Energy News Indonesian Biodiesel Producers Association ,  Biodiesel,  B30,  B40,  B50,  Palm Oil,  

PTG Energy
Date: 2020-03-18
In Bangkok, Thailand's largest transportation fuel distributor PTG Energy reports it will invest an additional $15.4 million its PPP Green Complex, a palm cooking oil and biodiesel plant in Prachuap Khiri Khan. (Source: PTG Energy, PR, Mar., 2020) Contact: PTE Energy, 0 2168 3377, +66 0 2168 3388, +66 0 2168 3379, 0 2168 3389 - fax, www.ptgenergy.co.th

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Biodiesel ,  PTG Energy ,  

Biodiesel,Palm Oil Analytics
Date: 2020-03-16
According to Singapore-headquartered Palm Oil Analytics (POA)-- an independent online publisher of palm oil market news, price, data and analytics -- OIL firms could be absorbing significant costs of fuel blending with the plunge in Brent crude and crude palm oil (CPO) prices.

"Although CPO prices have also fallen, the price spread of CPO to gas oil to date is $140 US on average, which indicates the government must step in and offer a subsidy to make CPO blending into biodiesel an attractive option. The low CPO benchmark is expected to drag palm futures in the first half of 2020 as lower exports and continued restriction of refined palm oil products by India weigh on the commodity. (Source: Palm Oil Analytics, Malaysian Reserve, 10 Mar., 2020) Contact: Palm Oil Analytics, www.palmoilanalytics.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel,  Biodiesel Blend,  Palm Oil,  

Indonesia Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources
Date: 2020-03-09
In Jakarta, the Indonesian Industry Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is reporting the implementation of its previously reported B30 biodiesel fuel blending program is expected to use 9.6 million kiloliters (KL) of domestic palm-oil biodiesel, reduce diesel fuel imports by e million kilolitersand, increase the added value of crude palm oil (CPO) to Rp13.81 trillion ($908 million) and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions by 14.25 million tons of CO2, or equivalent to gas emissions from 52,010 small buses, in 2020.

The mandatory B30 program came into force Jan. 1, this year. Indonesia, the world's biggest palm oil producer and exporter, is recorded as the first country to implement the B30 mixed-fuel in the world. (Source: Indonesia Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, antaranews.com, 5 Mar., 2020) Contact: Indonesia Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Minister, +136 0 21 3804242, +136 0 21 3507210 - fax, klik@esdm.go.id, www.esdm.go.id/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Indoneasia Biodiesel,  B20,  B30,  Palm Oil,  Palm Biodiesel,  

FPT Industrial
Date: 2020-03-06
FPT Industrial a global engine and powertrain brand of CNH Industrial N.V. reports it is invested in and exploring the possible use of Macauba Palm, which is common to Brazil, the Caribbean and South Florida, for the production of biodiesel transportation fuel.

FPT Industrial's research was conducted at the Technical Center in Betim, Southeast of Brazil, with the main focus on its application as a fuel for agricultural tractors. Tests for trucks and buses, as well as power generators, are planned for the future. The tests produced biodiesel that met the standards established by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).

The testing project was carried out in partnership with the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC Minas), the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and Bchem Biofuels, using a FPT Industrial N67 Tier 3 engine fitted to Case IH and New Holland Agriculture tractors. During the tests, mixtures of 10 pct and 20 pct of Macauba biodiesel were used. The results showed performance and consumption comparable to Brazilian commercial diesel, with a reduction trend in terms of carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) emissions. (Source: FPT, CNH Industrial, PR Mar.,2020) Contact: FPT CNH Industrial, www.fptindustrial.com/global/en, www.cnhindustrial.com/en-us/Pages/homepage.aspx

More Low-Carbon Energy News FPT Industrial,  Palm Oil,  Palm Biodiesel,  

Malaysian Palm Oil Board
Date: 2020-02-21
In Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian government reports it will be rolling out its B20 palm oil biodiesel B20 blend programme in stages to cover 3,400 petrol stations nationwide and expects the program to be fully implemented by mid 2021. The B20 program is part of a push towards greener energy and increasing palm oil production.

The B20 initiative kicked off in Langkawi and Labuan last month and will be expanded to Sarawak (April), Sabah (August) and Peninsular Malaysia (June 2021). Malaysia introduced the B10 and B7 biodiesel programmes in the transportation and industrial sector last year. In total, these two programmes will use 1.3 million tonnes of palm oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.8 tpy. (Source: Malaysian Palm Oil Board,The Edge Markets, FMT , 20 Feb., 2020) Contact: Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Dr. Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir, www.mpob.gov.my

More Low-Carbon Energy News Malaysian Palm Oil Board,  B20,  Biodiesel,  Palm Oil,  

ASEAN
Date: 2020-02-17
According to the Jakarta-headquartered Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Centre for Energy (ACE) many ASEAN member states have been actively looking to increase the use of biogas in order to meet their respective bioenergy targets.

Combined, Indonesia and Malaysia have over 1,000 palm oil mills that produce almost 90 percent of global palm oil supply. This results in the generation of around 126 million tonnes of POME yearly. The demand for biogas has grown because of the need to shift to more renewable sources of energy and to increase electricity penetration within the ASEAN region.Indonesia has set a bioenergy capacity target of 810 MW by 2025, Thailand's goal is 5,570 MW by 2036 and Malaysia aims to achieve 1,065 MW this year.

The ASEAN nations -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam -- have a combined population of population of 650 million and a combined GDP of $2.8 trillion. (Source: ASEAN Post, 13 Feb., 2020) Contact: ASEAN Centre for Energy, +62 21 527 9332, +62 21 527 9350 - fax, secretariat@aseanenergy.org, www.aseanenergy.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas,  ASEAN,  

Indonesian Biodiesel Producers Association
Date: 2020-02-12
In Jakarta, the Indonesian Biodiesel Producers Association (APROBI) reports it will begin road trials of 40 pct palm oil biodiesel (B40) fuel next month. According to APROBI, the national government is eager to increase the mix of palm oil in diesel fuel to encourage domestic palm oil consumption and reduce oil imports, which contribute heavily to the country's trade deficit. (Source: Indonesian Biodiesel Producers Association, Jakarta Post, 11 Feb., 2020) Contact: : Indonesian Biodiesel Producers Association, +62 2129380882, office@aprobi.co.id, www.aprobi.or.id

More Low-Carbon Energy News Indonesian Biodiesel Producers Association ,  Biodiesel,  B30,  B40,  Palm Oil,  

Thailand Ministry of Energy
Date: 2020-01-22
In Bangkok, Thailand Ministry of Energy is promoting the use of biodiesel B10 and B20 to help reduce a persistent smog problem by as much as 25 pct, according to the ministry's Department of Energy Business. The ministry release noted "biodiesel could effectively relieve the air pollution because emission from vehicles cause 70 pct of (particulate matter) PM2.5. B10 could cut PM2.5 by 3.5 to 13.5 pct and B20 could cut PM2.5 by 20 to 25 pct."

The release also noted consumption of B10 and B20 supports the Thai palm oil industry which is expected to invest $1.64 billion this year to improve the quality standard of their products from Euro 4 to Euro 5. Thia palm oil consumption in 2020 is expected to increase by 2 pct from last year to 132 million lpd, the release added. (Source: Thailand Ministry of Energy, Xinhua, 21 Jan., 2020) Contact: Thailand Ministry of Energy, weben.dede.go.th

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Thailand Biodiesel,  Biodiesel,  

Eni S.p.A.
Date: 2020-01-20
Biofuels International is reporting the Italian Competition and Market Authority has fined Italian oil major Eni S.p.A. €5 million for "green washing" and deceptive advertising of its Eni Diesel+ "green" diesel and claims that the product has a "positive impact on the environment, saves fuel and reduces greenhouse gas emissions."

As the EU's second largest biodiesel producer, more than half of all palm oil and derivatives imported into Italy in 2018 was used for biodiesel production. (Source: Italian Competition and Market Authority, Biofuels Int'l., 20 Jan. 2020) Contact: Eni S.p.A., www.eni.com/en_IT/home.page

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Eni,  Biodiesel,  Green Diesel,  

Date: 2020-01-10
In Jakarta, the Indonesian Energy Ministry reports it will start road tests for a 40 pct (B40) palm-oil biodiesel and gasoline blend in April, this year. Depending upon test result, the B40 blend would be launched in 2021-22.

In 2019 Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer, increased the mandatory bio-content of its biodiesel programme to 30 pct (B30) in a move to cut the country's energy imports and increase palm oil consumption. The ministry plans to run road tests for the B40 programme in April and launch the program in 2021-22. (Source: Successful Farming, Reuters, Jan., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Biodiesel,  B10,  B20,  B30,  

Indonesian Palm Oil,Pertamina
Date: 2019-12-23
Following up on our 25th November report, Jakarta is reporting the early launch of its mandatory updated B-30 palm oil biodiesel-petroleum diesel blending program. The program requires the use of domestic palm oil-based biodiesel developed and produced by state-run oil company Pertamina.

The update from B-20 to B-30 was originally slated for Jan., 2020 with the aim of raising the blend rate to B-50 at the earliest possible date.

Indonesia is the world's largest palm oil producer. (Source: Pertamina, Jakarta Globe, 23 Dec., 2019) Contact: Pertamina, Fajriyah Usman, VP Communications, 1-500-000, pcc@pertamina.com, www.pertamina.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Pertamina,  Palm Oil,  Palm Oil Biofuel,  B-20,  B-30,  

AirAsia Group
Date: 2019-12-18
Kuala Lumpur-based low-cost airline AirAsia Group Bhd reports it is researching palm oil-related biofuel with various research companies and the Ministry of Primary Industries to study the compatibility of the vegetable oil.

Palm oil palm is part of the company's sustainability plan to largely use use jet biofuels to reduce carbon emission, according to the company release. To that end, the company has reportedly signed forward purchase agreements for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) totaling roughly $6 billion. (Source: AirAsia Group, PR, New Strait Times, 19 Dec., 2019) Contact: AirAsia,Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Founder & CEO, www.airasia.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News AirAsia Group,  Palm Oil,  Biofuel,  Aviation Biofuel ,  

Eni
Date: 2019-12-06
Italian energy giant Eni S.p.A. is reporting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tunisia's Societe National de Distribution des Petroles (SNDP) to create a joint venture company for the cultivation of castor as a sustainable biofuels feedstock to replace palm oil. Castor is native to Tunisia.

Eni S.p.A. is an Italian multinational oil and gas company headquartered in Rome with operations in 79 countries, and is currently world's 11th largest industrial company with a market capitalization of €68 billion euros, as of August 14, 2013, according to Wikipedia. (Source: Eni, Biofuels Int'l, Dec., 2019) Contact: SNDP, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entreprise_Tunisienne_d%27Activites_Petroliere; Eni, www.eni.com/en_IT/home.page

More Low-Carbon Energy News Eni,  Biofuel,  Castor,  Palm Oil,  

Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry
Date: 2019-12-04
In Jakarta, Reuters is reporting the Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry plans to start producing 3.7 million kiloliters per year of second-generation biodiesel from palm oil in 2022,increasing to 6.1 million kiloliters per in 2024.

Indonesia, the world's major palm oil producer, currently uses biodiesel made from fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) from palm oil, which is blended with fossil fuel.

Green diesel can be made by refining fossil crude oil and palm derivatives together in a single process, or refining palm oil in dedicated refineries. (Source: Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Reuters, Dec., 2019) Contact:Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Energy_and_Mineral_Resources_(Indonesia)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Green Diesel,  Biodiesel,  

Thailand
Date: 2019-11-27
In Bangkok, the Ministry of Energy has announced that B10 palm oil diesel is to become the standard diesel type in Thailand from 1 January 2020. The move is intended to help raise crude palm oil prices and increase national biodiesel consumption by 2.1 million lpd -- roughly 40 pct.

The ministry expects the energy sector to help absorb two thirds of the national production of crude palm oil (CPO), or at 2.2 million tpy and help the country save on oil imports by 1.8 million lpd. (Source: Thailand Ministry of Energy, Pattaya Mail, 26 Nov., 2019) Contact: Thailand Ministry of Energy, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Energy_(Thailand), www.energy.go.th/2015/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News B10,  Biodiesel,  Palm Oil Biodiesel,  

Indonesian Palm Oil
Date: 2019-11-27
Mexico to conduct research together to develop palm oil-based biofuel as renewable energy during the third meeting of the At this months Indonesia-Mexico Consultative Committee on Agriculture (CCA) meeting in Mexico City, the Indonesian delegation, led by the chief of the Foreign Cooperation Bureau at the Agriculture Ministry, reportedly suggested the two countries partner on palm oil biofuels renewable energy R&D and related oil palm initiatives and opportunities.

The Indonesian initiative was reportedly well received since Mexico is investigating the development of oil palm cultivation, the development of oil palm biofuel and a possible B-20 or B-30 program. Mexico is also eager to explore cooperation in developing biodiesel-based products such as castor oil and jatropha that can be grown on marginal land. (Source: Various Media, Antara News, 26 Nov., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Palm Oil Biofuel,  B-20,  B-30,  

Pertamina
Date: 2019-11-25
In Jakarta, Indonesian state gas and oil company Pertamina reports it is now distributing B30 palm oil biodiesel blend transportation fuel a month earlier that its targeted 28th January 2020 implementation date at fuel terminals in central Java and six other fuel terminals in the near future until December 31, 2019.

Initially, 670,000 kiloliters of B30 fuel will be produced and distributed (Source: Pertamina, Tempo.co, 25 Nov., 2019) Contact: Pertamina, Fajriyah Usman, VP Communications, 1-500-000 pcc@pertamina.com, www.pertamina.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Pertamina,  Palm Oil,  B30,  Biodiesel,  Biodiesel Blend ,  

Indonesian National Energy Committee
Date: 2019-11-08
Speaking at the 15th Indonesian Palm Oil Conference recently held in Bali,the Indonesian National Energy Committee Secretary General Djoko Siswanto reported Indonesia is testing palm oil green fuel production at refineries in Dumai and Plaju, and looks to put bio-fuel, including aviation fuel products, on the market by 2022 or 2023.

According to the statement, only 12 pct of the country's refineries produce bio-fuel and the industry is seeking domestic and foreign investors to build more refineries and expand production especially in regions close to oil palm plantations in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

Separately, Indonesia's 30 pct biodiesel - petroleum blend policy will come into force in Jan. 2020, and will increase domestic palm oil consumption by roughly 3 million tpy. (Source: Indonesian National Energy Committee , VNA, 7 Nov., 2019) Contact: Indonesian National Energy Committee , +622 152921, www.den.go.id/index.php

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Biofuel,  Palm Oil,  Green Fuel,  Indonesia Palm Oil,  Biofuel,  

Indonesia Palm Oil
Date: 2019-10-30
In Jakarta, the Indonesian Office of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy reports it is anticipating a boost in palm oil exports to China, taking advantage of an opportunity opened up by the escalating trade war between Beijing and Washington.

The move also presents the country with a respite from its planned phase-out of palm oil biofuel in the European Union, its second-biggest export market, and a likely increase in duties by India, its top export customer.

To meet the expected Chinese market demand, Indonesian producers will increase yields through better technology and seeds, rather than more deforestation for palm cultivation. Currently there are 162,000 square-kilometers of palm oil plantations across Indonesia.

As previously reported, the European Commission passed a measure in March to phase out palm oil-based biofuels by 2030, over environmental degradation concerns that palm production, often on land cleared of rainforest, contributes to global carbon emissions and thus exacerbates climate change. The Rainforest Foundation Norway estimates an area larger than the Netherlands might be destroyed to make way for oil palm plantations to feed biofuel demand through 2030. This, it warns, would result in the release of 7 billion tons of CO2 emissions over the next 20 years. (Source: Indonesian Office of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mongabay, 28 Oct., 2019) Contact: Indonesian Office of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, www.devex.com/organizations/coordinating-ministry-for-economic-affairs-indonesia-132480

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Biodiesel,  Biofuel,  

Palm Oil
Date: 2019-10-14
In Paris, France's highest constitutional authority has ruled in favor of excluding palm oil from the list of biofuels that enjoy tax incentives, effective 1st January, 2020. According to the French oil giant Total, the affected palm oil is valued at between &euro:70 million and €80 million per year.

As previously reported, the European Commission ruled palm oil is not a "green" fuel and should not be promoted because it causes deforestation. The use of palm oil in diesel in the EU will be gradually reduced as of 2023 and should reach zero in 2030.

The EU is the world's second largest importer of crude palm oil. In 2018 more than half of all palm imports were used to make biodiesel transportation fuels. (Source: European Commission, Green Car Congress, Oct., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Biodiesel,  

Malaysian Palm Oil Board
Date: 2019-09-25
In Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) could partner firms from Japan, China and the US to develop palm-based jet fuel using byproducts from the country's second-biggest export commodity, palm oil. The project, which is expected to get underway in early 2020, will include a pilot plant for the blended fuel.

The Primary Industries Ministry is seeking roughly RM6 million ($1,453,000 US) in the upcoming budget to support the biojet fuel project. Potential project collaborators include Chinese, U.S. and Japanese firms.

"The funding will be used for the initial setup to produce biojet fuel on a small scale and we will work from there on how to expand into commercial production. The project will also test the sustainability of using other renewable sources such as biomass in producing aviation biofuel," according to the release. (Source: Malaysian Palm Oil Board, PR, 23 Sept., 2019) Contact: Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Dr. Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir, www.mpob.gov.my

More Low-Carbon Energy News Malaysian Palm Oil Board ,  Palm Oil,  Biofuel,  Aviation Biofuel,  

Malaysian Palm Oil Board
Date: 2019-09-13
In Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) reports it and FGV Holdings Bhd will be embarking on a 6 month trial project involving the use of 20 pct palm biodiesel and 80 pct petroleum diesel blend (B20) for diesel vehicles.

The vehicle’s petroleum diesel engines will not be modified in any way to accommodate biodiesel fuel. The vehicles used for the project will be monitored in terms of their movements, fuel consumption of B20 and their maintenance costs. The B20 trial is intended to prove that using B20 will not affect vehicle engines.

Malaysia implemented B10 for its transportation sector beginning February and B7 for industrial sector in June this year in effort to reduce greenhouse gas emission released by diesel vehicles and to support the Palm oil industry. (Source: MPOB, New Strait Times, 12 Sept., 2019)Contact: Malaysian Palm Oil Board, www.mpob.gov.my

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Biodiesel,  Malaysian Palm Oil Board,  

Palm Oil Biodiesel
Date: 2019-08-16
In light of the Indonesian government's planned introduction of B30 palm oil biodiesel blend, the country's Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry is reporting B30 has cleared a series cold temperature tests and is cleared for introduction and domestic consumption early in 2020. Indonesia currently uses a B20, 20 pct blend of palm fatty acid methyl ester (FAME).

The higher blend of palm oil- biodiesel blend is intended to address the problem of high energy imports and slowing global demand for palm by increasing domestic consumption of the vegetable oil.

(Source: Indonesia Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Hellenic Shipping News, 14 Aug., 2019) Contact: Indonesia Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, www.esdm.go.id/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News B30,  Biodiesel,  Biodiesel Blend,  Palm Oil,  

Biodiesel,Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources
Date: 2019-08-14
In Jakarta, the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources reports the country's 20 pct palm oil blended biodiesel policy has delivered roughly $1.66 billion in foreign exchange savings for the period of January through July, 2019.

The government had allocated 6.20 million kiloliters B20 -- 44 pct of the total quota of diesel imports, the Ministry stated. The Indonesian government mandated B20 in 2016 in response to a drastic global fall in crude palm oil prices. The mandate was also intended to reduce the country's dependence on imported diesel fuel.(Source: Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, tempo.co, 13 Aug., 2019) Contact: Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, www.esdm.go.id/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel,  Indonesia Biodiesel,  B20,  

Malaysian Palm Oil Board
Date: 2019-07-17
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian President Joko Widodo last week declared palm oil as a "strategic commodity" for his country and that the government would lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organization over the European Union's plan to phase out the use of palm oil in biofuels.

The Southeast Asian country is the world's second largest palm oil producer after Indonesia and would be hit hard by the EU's plan to cut its use in biofuels by 2030.

In March, the Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad warned the EU attempt to curb palm oil in biofuels "risks opening up a trade war with Malaysia." (Source: Gov. of Malaysia, Al Arabiya, Others, AFP, 16 July, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Malaysian Palm Oil,  

Biodiesel
Date: 2019-07-17
Reporting from Jakarta, the Indonesian Deputy Energy Minister Arcandra Tahar has announced that the government plans a mandatory increase in biodiesel-gasoline blend rate from the present 20 pct (B20) to 30 pct (B30) in 2020. The Deputy Minister also foresees a 55 pct rise in unblended biodiesel consumption in 2020.

Indonesia is the world's leading palm oil exporter and consumer at an estimated 2.89 million kl of un-blended biodiesel in H1 2019. (Source: Indonesian Energy Ministry, Successful Farming, Reuters, 15 July, 2019) Contact: Indonesian Energy Ministry, www.esdm.go.id/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Indonesian,  Biodiesl,  Biodiesel Blend,  

European Commission,MERCOSUR
Date: 2019-07-15
The European Union's European Commission (EC) is reporting a trade deal with the South American Mercosur trading bloc that will open the European market to more imports of ethanol and crops that are used to make high-emitting biofuel.

Under the deal crops and ethanol produced in MERCOSUR member countries -- Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay -- could be used to meet the EU's green transport fuel targets. The agreement also allows for a lower tariff rate on ethanol imports to be phased in over five years: a quota of 200,000 tonnes with an in-quota rate of one-third of the current high duty of up to €19/hectolitre will be opened for fuel and other uses beyond the chemical industry, according to a EC briefing. The agreement also reduces or eliminates duties that MERCOSUR currently imposes on exports of soybean products to the EU, the Commission said. This could make soy a more attractive feedstock for biodiesel producers in Europe.

Argentine soy diesel, imports of refined biodiesel tripled from 2017 to 2018, with palm oil and soy accounting for around 86 pct of all biodiesel imports. (Source: EU EC, Transport & Environment, 11 July, 2019) Contact: MERCOSUR, www.mercosur.int/en/about-mercosur/mercosur-countries

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel,  Biodiesel,  Soy Biodiesel,  Palm Oil,  

Total
Date: 2019-07-03
In Paris, energy major Total reports it has begun production at the La Mede biorefinery in southeastern France, with the first batches of biofuel coming off the line. It is the final step in converting the former oil refinery into a new energies complex.

Launched in 2015, the Mede biorefinery can produce 500,000 tpy of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a premium biofuel, as well as biodiesel and biojet fuel for the aviation industry. The facility was specifically designed to process all types of oil. Its biofuels will be made: 60 to 70 pct from 100 pct sustainable vegetable oils (rapeseed, palm, sunflower, etc.), and 30 to 40 pct from treated waste (animal fats, cooking oil, residues, etc.).

As part of May, 2018 agreement with the French Government, Total has pledged to process no more than 300,000 tpy of palm oil -- less than 50 pct of the total volume of raw materials needed -- and at least 50,000 tpy of French-grown rapeseed, creating another market for domestic agriculture. All the oils processed will be certified sustainable to European Union standards.

Total is also examining different biomass conversion pathways, such as thermochemical, biotechnology and algae, and is working in its own laboratories and via R&D partnerships with manufacturers, start-ups, universities and private laboratories, including BioTfueL, Novogy and Renmatix. (Source: Total Website, PR, 3 July, 2018) Contact: Total, Investor Relations: +44 (0 )207 719 7962 l, ir@total.com, www.total.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Total,  Biofuel,  Biodiesel,  Palm Oil,  

Jakarta Biodiesel Palm Oil
Date: 2019-06-14
In Jakarta, the Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry reports it has begun a four month test of palm oil biodiesel and petroleum diesel blended B30 transportation fuel. If the tests prove successful, the intent is to increase the present mandated B20 blend rate to B30 beginning in 2020.

The increase is seen as an effort by the world's top palm oil exporter to increase the domestic demand for palm oil. It is hoped the move will increase consumption of bio-content made from palm oil from an estimated 6.2 KL in 2019 to as much as 9 million kilolitres (KL) per year. (Source: Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Reuters, June, 2019) Contact: Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, www.esdm.go.id/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News B30,  Palm Oil Biodiesel,  Biodiese Blends,  

Total
Date: 2019-05-31
Paris-headquartered French energy major TOTAL is reporting the impending start-up of its often delayed 500,000 tpy palm oil biodiesel refinery in La Mede in southern France. The facility is expected to begin production within "two weeks."

TOTAL has committed to use less than 300,000 tonnes of crude palm oil per year at La Mede out of a total of 650,000 tonnes of feed stocks which could include oils from other plants, recycled animal fat, cooking oil and industrial oil. (Source: TOTAL, Indian Economic Times, May, 2019) Contact: TOTAL, Patrick Pouyanne, CEO, www.total.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News TOTAL,  Palm Oil,  Biodiesel,  

Malaysian Palm Oil Board
Date: 2019-05-31
In Beijing, 180 sanitary trucks will be fueled with Malaysian palm oil biodiesel in a 20 month pilot project carried out by Tsinghua University in collaboration with Beijing TUS-Deqing Bioenergy and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). The tests will be conducted with blended biodiesel containing 5 pct, 10 pct and 20 pct of palm oil respectively.

Beijing TUS-Deqing Bioenergy is a subsidiary of TUS Clean Energy, a commercial arm of Tsinghua University. Beijing TUS-Deqing Bioenergy plans to invest in a project to modify an existing biodiesel plant in Malaysia using its enzymatic technology.

. Malaysia has implemented a domestic 10 pct palm biodiesel and 90 pct petrol diesel (B10) program in its national transportation sector. (Source: Malaysian Palm Oil Board, The Star, 28 May, 2019) Contact: Tsinghua University, www.tsinghua.edu.cn; Beijing TUS-Deqing Bioenergy, en.tusholdings.com/index.php/59682c1b03b?zid=3; Malaysian Palm Oil Board, www.mpob.gov.my

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Biodiesel,  Malaysian Palm Oil Board,  

Palm Oil
Date: 2019-05-27
In Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) in a statement reported that his country, the world's largest exporter and second largest producer of the palm oil, will continue to play a key role in ensuring palm oil remains a sustainable and eco-friendly fuel replacement for domestic use and worldwide export.

The minister noted that while there had been opposition to the current practices of planting oil palm, the market is strong and "Malaysia is equipped with the necessary infrastructure and market size to improve the quality and production of palm-based energy products." He also noted agencies such as the Malaysia Palm Oil Board, Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute and SIRIM Bhd had the technological capabilities necessary to make make palm oil biodiesel a "leading biofuel contender."

Malaysia introduced B10 biodiesel to the domestic transportation market in December 2018, increasing its blend from seven per cent (B7 Biodiesel) to 10 per cent. The government plans to introduce B20 biodiesel by 2020. (Source: Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Malay Mail, 24 May., 2019)Contact: Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Darell Leiking, www.miti.gov.my

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Biodiesel,  

Neste
Date: 2019-05-08
In the capital city of Tallinn, Estonian public broadcaster ERR and other media are reporting Helsinki-headquartered renewable diesel fuel producer Neste will begin offering its palm oil biodiesel to Estonian motorists in July, subject to Estonian Environment Ministry approval.

In other Neste news, the effectiveness of Neste MY Renewable Jet Fuel in reducing black carbon emissions has been recognized in a competition organized by the Climate Leadership Coalition, the Bioenergy Association of Finland, the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, the Finnish Environment Institute, and the Central Association of Chimney Sweeps. According to NASA, renewable fuel has the potential to cut particulate emissions by up to 70 pct from aircraft engines. (Source: Neste, Baltic News Network, May, 2019) Contact: Neste, +358 10 458 4128, www.neste.com; Bioenergy Association of Finland, www.bioenergia.fi/English

More Low-Carbon Energy News Neste,  Renewable Diesel,  Alternative Fuel,  Biodiesel,  

Biodiesel
Date: 2019-05-06
In Jakarta, the Indonesia Biofuels Producer Association (APROBI) reports many Indonesian economists and government officials believe that the transition to cleaner energy products is necessary to help bolster the country's export sector and that tighter restrictions on Indonesian biodiesel deliveries to the EU could significantly cut biodiesel exports to only 1 million or 1.2 million kiloliters (kl) this year.

In the face of EU palm oil environmental concerns, Indonesia has been working to make its palm oil-based fuel more environmentally-friendly after the EU and other countries called for a "cleaner" Indonesian biodiesel.

Indonesia's B20 biofuel-biodiesel blend rate is expected to be raised to B30. According to Agra-Net, Indonesia exported 52,356 tonnes of palm oil biodiesel in February, 2019 Domestic markets have also shown increased consumption of biofuel during the first quarter of 2019. Reuters notes Indonesians consumed 1.5 million kl in Q1, this year. (Source: APROBI Business Times, 3 May, 2019) Contact: APROBI, +62 2129380882, office@aprobi.co.id, www.aprobi.or.id

More Low-Carbon Energy News Indonesia,  Palm Oil,  Biodiesel,  

Palm Oil,Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries
Date: 2019-04-08
Reporting from Kuala Lumpur, the governments of Malaysia and Indonesian have announced the two major global palm oil producers will, under the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries, (CPOPC) embark on a joint mission to Brussels this week to register a firm objection to the Delegated Regulation Supplementing Directive 2018/2021 of the European Union Renewable Energy Directive II.

According to the release, "Malaysia has argued that the law discriminates against biofuels and bioliquids produced from palm oil and other oil crops. There is also significant lack of scientific data and reliable information used in the Delegated Regulation which classifies palm oil production as a high Indirect Land Use Change risk biofuel feedstock."

"Malaysia urges the European Union to provide equitable treatment across all oil crop biofuels and bioliquids in line with the World Trade Organization non-discriminative principles. Malaysia will continue to overcome disruptive and discriminatory practices on suppressing the palm oil trade," the release added. (Source: Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries, Bernama, Sun Daily, 6 April, 2019) Contact: Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries, www.cpopc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel,  Biochemical,  Palm Oil,  Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries ,  

EU, Palm Oil
Date: 2019-03-15
This week in Brussels, the European Commission (EC) concluded that the cultivation of palm oil, primarily in Indonesia and Malaysia, results in excessive deforestation and accordingly should not be eligible for subsidies or count toward EU renewable transport targets for national governments. Such a ban on counting toward the target -- a 32 pct share of renewable energy by 2030 -- will likely occasion the phase-out the use of of palm oil-based fuel's in Europe.

The EC concluded that 45 percent of the expansion of palm oil production since 2008 led to destruction of forests, wetlands or peatlands and resultant greenhouse gas releases.

The EC has added a number of exemptions which mean some palm oil could still be promoted as a green fuel, under certain conditions including allowing additional palm oil production coming from yield increases or produced on unused land to still qualify as green.

Although once seen as the main tool by which the EU could decarbonize road transport, and given generous subsidies under the 28-member trading bloc's Renewable Energy Directive over a decade ago, many environmentalists are reportedly pushing the EU to ban crop-based biofuels and move instead to incentivizing second-generation, cellulosic biofuels. (Source: EU, European Biodiesel Board, Successful Farning, Forbes, 14 Mar., 2019) Contact: European Biodiesel Board, www.ebb-eu.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News European Commission,  Palm Oil,  Biodiesel,  European Biodiesel Board,  

Palm Oil Biofuel
Date: 2019-02-18
In Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian Ministry of Plantations is reporting the Malaysian demand for crude palm oil is expected to rise by 1.3 million tons in 2020. The Ministry also notes it is increasing the transportation fuel palm oil biodiesel-to-petroleum fuel blend rate from B10 to B20 in an effort to stabilize palm oil supply, stockpiles and prices.

Malaysia's palm oil inventory dropped 6.7 pct to 3 million tons in January from a month earlier and palm oil exports surged 21.2 pct to 1.68 million tons in January, 2019.

Malaysia's neighbor Indonesia introduced B20 -- a blend of 20 pct palm oil and 80 pct fossil fuel -- to its transport sector in 2016. (Source: Malaysian Ministry of Plantations, Nikkei, 12 Feb., 2019)Contact: Malaysian Ministry of Plantations, www.mpoc.org.my

More Low-Carbon Energy News Malaysia Palm Oil,  B10,  B20,  Palm Oil,  Biofuel,  B7,  

ePure
Date: 2019-02-18
The European Renewable Ethanol Association (ePURE) secretary general Emmanuel Desplechin has responded to the EU Commission's draft surrounding high risk indirect land-use change (ILUC) biofuels and the shift of focus away from unsustainable sources of palm oil.

The draft details curbing any biofuels with a high ILUC-risk and its amount of consumption in 2019 within the Member States. The EU also outlined an ambitious goal of reducing any high-risk biofuel's contribution to 0 pct by 2030.

"Directive (EU) 2018/2001 also calls for a specific limit to conventional biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels with high ILUC-risk and for which a significant expansion of the production area into land with high carbon stock is observed, in the amount of their level of consumption in each Member State in 2019," the draft stated. "Starting from 31 December 2023, their contribution should be gradually reduced to 0 pct by 2030 at the latest."

Despite the draft's promising changes to the uses of palm oil, ePure argues that the draft would still 'allow imported feedstock that violates spirit of RED II agreement.'

"Making an exception for feedstock produced by smallholders isn't just allowing high-ILUC-risk biofuels such as palm oil into Europe through the back door, it's allowing it through the front door. The hard-won compromise reached on RED II couldn't have been clearer in its message that Europe should phase out biofuels associated with the significant deforestation and peatland drainage that has defined most palm oil expansion."

"Low-ILUC-risk biofuels certified as such could escape from the phase-out, but these were clearly defined as either produced through improved agricultural practices or from unused land. By inventing a third, alternative criterion for smallholders, the Commission is making a mockery of the agreed RED II compromise," Desplechin claims. (Source: ePURE, Feb., 2019) Contact: ePURE Emmanuel Desplechin, Sec. Gen., +32 2 657 6679, info@epure.org, www.epure.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News ePure,  Palm Oil,  Biodiesel,  

ePure
Date: 2019-02-13
Reporting from Brussels, the European Commission (EC) reports it has gone most of the way toward banning the use of unsustainable palm oil in EU transport, but it hasn't quite closed the deal. Instead of acting on the RED II agreement and removing "high-ILUC-risk" biofuels from the 28-member trading bloc's transport mix, it has left a door open, according to a release.

"Making an exception for feedstock produced by smallholders isn't just allowing high-ILUC-risk biofuels such as palm oil into Europe through the back door, it's allowing it through the front door," said Emmanuel Desplechin, Secretary General of ePURE, the European renewable ethanol association. "The hard-won compromise reached on RED II couldn't have been clearer in its message that Europe should phase out biofuels associated with the significant deforestation and peatland drainage that has defined most palm oil expansion."

"Low-ILUC-risk biofuels certified as such could escape from the phase-out, but these were clearly defined as either produced through improved agricultural practices or from unused land. By inventing a third, alternative criterion for smallholders, the EC is making a mockery of the agreed RED II compromise," the ePure Secretary General added.

European renewable ethanol is made from European feedstock and delivers high greenhouse-gas reduction and is not associated with deforestation. Its use cuts GHG emissions by more than 70 pct on average compared to fossil petrol. (Source: ePure, EC, Feb., 2019) Contact: European Renewable Ethanol Assoc. (ePURE), Emmanuel Desplechin, Sec. Gen., +32 2 657 6679, info@epure.org, www.epure.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Biodiesel ,  ePure,  Biofuel,  

Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund
Date: 2019-02-11
Reporting from Oslo, th $1 trillion Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund, the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, reports it will encourage the roughly 9,000 firms across 72 nations in which it has invested to disclose more data on their greenhouse gas emissions and their climate change adaptation plans.

The fund, which invests the revenues of Norway's oil and gas production, has also developed in-house software that uses non-financial data, such as CO2 emissions, and trading and earnings data to project future company performance. In 2018, the new software reportedly helped 30 companies complete informed divestments Two of the 30 divested companies were involved in palm oil; one in rubber; ten in coal-based power; and one in "CO2 intensity".

In 2018, the Norwegian fund emitted 107 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents via its ownership stakes -- roughly twice the amount emitted by Norway in 2017 -- according to the fund's recently release annual report. (Source: Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund, Reuters, euronews, Feb., 2019)Contact: Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund, Yngve Slyngstad, CEO,www.nbim.no