Malaysian biodiesel may be appearing in Europe, but as yet, it is still banned from the US

In March this year Mission NewEnergy’s plant in Kuantan became the first biodiesel facility outside of Europe to gain full by International Sustainability Carbon Certification (ISCC) certification.
This certification demonstrates compliance with German and European greenhouse gas (GHG) saving targets and means the Asian producer can export its biodiesel to Europe.
The Renewable Energy Directive requires a minimum of 35% saving in GHG emissions from the use of biofuels and bioliquids to qualify for the subsidies and other privileges. Using Felda’s crude palm oil to produce biofuel results in GHG savings of 47% and 41%, respectively.
Since achieving this certification, Mission NewEnergy has begun selling to Rotterdam. The company has also secured a six month contract for supply commencing in January 2012 (set up for the 2012 European summer) with a global oil major.
The same company has also just become the first jatropha producer to be ISSC certified.
This means the producer can now make the most of the multi-billion dollar opportunity the European market represents, something many other producers are also keen to have.
Vasu R. Vasuthewan, sales and marketing director at Mission NewEnergy and ISCC board member, will be speaking about these experiences at the upcoming Bioenergy International Asia expo & conference in Kuala Lumpur on 7-8 December 2011.
He joins other certification bodies including SGS and Bureau Veritas to give delegates an indepth understanding of what is required to meet European and US sustainability requirements.
As yet Mission NewEnergy has not been able to supply any of its biodiesel to the US. The company submitted an application for its g-Palm to be approved by the EPA on 15 September, and the product is currently under evaluation.
Other key speakers include Khoo Hock Aun, CEO of Cosmo Biofuels, TC Long Tian Ching, Managing Director, Vance Bioenergy, Rosediana Suharto, Indonesian Palm Oil Commission, Azman Bin Ahmad, CEO, Felda-Johore Bulkers and many more.
These industry experts will look at the production capacities and challenges in different Asian markets. For example, the Malaysian government officially launched the much awaited B5 palm oil biodiesel blending mandate on 1 June 2011. This is expected to go nationwide by 2013. With the introduction, Malaysia becomes the second country to implement the use of B5 - Indonesia has been using it since 2006 in selected cities and provinces. This follows Thailand, which introduced a B2 mandate in April 2008 and the Philippines introduced B1 in 2007.
Biofuel producers in Asia are facing mixed fortunes this year due to the impact of raw material costs on the competitiveness of different biofuels around the region. For everyone producing, trading, supplying, servicing or working in this sector, this event cannot be missed.
We hope to see many of you there!
Best wishes,
Rebecca