KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia should conduct a comprehensive economic study on sustainability criteria, commercial availability, and technology readiness of multiple potential technology pathways to boost the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), said experts.
President of Malaysia Biomass Industries Confederation Datuk Leong Kin Mun said the development of SAF in Malaysia offers a significant opportunity to utilise the country's abundant oil palm biomass, crude palm oil (CPO), and sludge palm oil.
He noted that Malaysia generates approximately 95 million dry tonnes of solid palm biomass annually and 18 million tonnes of CPO and sludge palm oil, all recognised as Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)-eligible fuels.
“These feedstocks can be developed through technology pathways such as Gasification Fischer-Tropsch, Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids, as well as Alcohol-to-Jet, among others,” he said at a stakeholder forum recently, hosted by Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (Bioeconomy Corp).
In a joint statement, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and Bioeconomy Corp said the government will continue to facilitate and pursue both local and international collaborations to accelerate actions and innovations in the SAF industry and to maximise Malaysia’s position as a key provider in the region.
MOSTI deputy secretary-general Datuk Dr Mohd Nor Azman Hassan shared that according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, the region can produce up to 500 million tonnes of SAF by 2050.
“Therefore, for Malaysia to fully leverage its biomass potential and technological advancements, we need to accelerate actions and innovations in the SAF industry,” he said.
It was estimated that Malaysia used around 8,900 tonnes of jet fuel per day at its peak in 2019.
“The use of jet fuel is expected to exceed these figures, as the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) projects that aviation passenger numbers will exceed 100 million in 2024.
“Currently, SAF production relies on used cooking oil as the raw material, and there is increasing interest in using waste residues or biomass from the oil palm industry,” said the statement.
Boeing’s Regional Sustainability Lead, Southeast Asia, Sharmine Tan, highlighted that it is imperative to scale SAF as it reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 84 per cent compared to conventional jet fuel, offering the largest potential to decarbonise in all aviation segments.
“Boeing is committed to ensuring our commercial aeroplanes are 100 per cent SAF-compatible by 2030 and analysing opportunities to scale local SAF production in Southeast Asia through feedstock assessments,” she said.
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) is also committed to advancing its bio-based technology research, concentrating on the availability and readiness of feedstock for SAF, said Petronas Research Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Norhayati Hashim.
“By demonstrating collective strengths as industry players, collaboration will be key to achieving Petronas’ net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 aspiration,” she added.
-- BERNAMA
