Malaysia rolls out B20 biodiesel at KLIA in push for sustainable aviation

New Straits Times

29-05-2025

SEPANG: The rollout of B20 palm-based biodiesel for ground service equipment (GSE) would position Malaysia as a responsible and forward-thinking player in the global palm oil industry, said Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
He said the initiative would also reinforce Malaysia's standing as the world's second-largest palm oil producer, while showcasing its commitment to sustainable development.
This follows the launch of an 18-month pilot project by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) to evaluate the use of B20 palm-based biodiesel in GSE at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
The project is a joint effort between MPOB, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and Teras Kembang Sdn Bhd, which oversees the fuel station supplying B20 biodiesel to ground service vehicle operators at KLIA.
Johari said the launch signifies more than just a new initiative. It reflects a firm commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions and advancing a sustainable aviation industry.
"This marks a historic moment, as it is the first time palm biodiesel B20 is being introduced for airport ground services or industrial sectors in Malaysia," he said in his speech.
He stated that the National Biodiesel Programme has been in commercial operation since 2011, starting with the B5 Programme and later expanding in stages to include B7 within the transport sector.
"The B10 Programme was made mandatory for the transport sector on Feb 1, 2019, and the B7 Programme for the industrial sector on July 1, 2019.
"The B20 Programme for the transport sector was launched in January 2020 in locations such as Langkawi, Labuan, and Sarawak (excluding Bintulu)," he added.
Johari said this reflects the country's ongoing dedication to advancing sustainable biofuels through multiple initiatives.
He also noted that biodiesel usage has shown substantial environmental benefits, with studies indicating it can cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by as much as 75 per cent compared to traditional diesel, thereby supporting both economic growth and environmental preservation.
He said on a global scale, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has established a target for international airlines to achieve carbon-neutral growth by the year 2050.
"The use of biofuels for vehicles and ground service equipment at airports is counted as a step towards reducing carbon emissions in the aviation sector in line with ICAO's aspirations.
"In this context, the pilot project launched today plays an important role in the use of B20 biodiesel for vehicles and ground service machinery at KLIA.
"Earlier, I officiated the launch of B20 usage at the Petronas KLIA 4 Station, which has been selected as the designated station for this pilot project.
"I hope this collaborative effort will serve as a model for other airports in Malaysia to also adopt B20 in their operations," Johari added.
In a statement, the ministry stated that five GSE companies have shown interest in joining the pilot project, with an estimated monthly usage of 40,000 litres of green B20 biodiesel.
Additionally, the ministry has set a goal to implement B30 palm biodiesel in the transportation sector by 2030, an objective that also serves as a key performance indicator under the National Agricommodity Policy 2021–2030.