Ministry to meet carmakers to discuss implementation of B10 biodiesel

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities will meet car manufacturers tomorrow to discuss the implementation of B10 biodiesel, said its minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.
"We understand their concern. Therefore we have planned to have a meeting with them tomorrow to discuss matters pertaining to this issue," he told reporters after the launch of Malaysian Palm Oil Board's Advanced Oleochemicals Technology Building here today.
It was reported that various manufacturers – BMW Malaysia, Isuzu, Toyota and Volkswagen – had raised concerns in relation to the implementation of B10 biodiesel.
The implementation of B10 biodiesel (blending of 10% palm methyl ester with 90% petroleum diesel) in Malaysia was delayed until further notice due to inadequate data.
However, in a news report last month, the Malaysian Automotive Association claimed that the usage of biodiesel in grades higher than B7 may result in fatty-acid methyl ester mixing with the motor oil, causing the oil to thin and possibly leading to sludging in the engine.
Mah said the palm oil council has also carried numerous research and tests that showed B10 was safe to use in any vehicle.
He said the implementation of B10 was also significant as it would help reduce the palm oil stockpile in the country, hence help increase the crude palm oil price.
The current blending mandate is at seven per cent. — Bernama