B7 biodiesel to be launched to replace B5 at petrol stations from Nov 1

KUALA LUMPUR: A more environmentally friendly fuel – the B7 Biodiesel – will be introduced nationwide next month.

The B7 Biodesel is a blend of 7% palm biodiesel and 93% petroleum diesel, and has lower greenhouse gas emissions than diesel.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the B7 Biodiesel Programme would start on Nov 1 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),” Uggah said after opening the fifth Palm Oil Trade Fair and Seminar 2014 here.

Uggah said using biodiesel helped both the country’s palm oil industry and the environment.

“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.

Uggah said 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.

He added that the Government had consulted various industry players before deciding to implement the programme and they supported the move to use the B7 biodiesel.

The price of the B7 Biodiesel will be the same as that of the B5 Biodiesel.

Datuk Lee Yeow Chor, chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council, which organised the fair and seminar, said the B7 Biodiesel showcased the diverse uses of crude palm oil and its positive aspects for the environment.