In Malaysia, researchers at Universiti Putra Malaysian are using natural fibers made of pineapple leaves for drone frames. The pineapple leaf material has a higher strength to weight ratio compared to plastic and is cheaper than traditional drone frame materials. It also makes the drone partially biodegradable, in case it becomes lost to the user […]
In Malaysia, Reuters reports that the government’s restrictions on foreign labor in response to COVID-19 has exacerbated the tight labor situation for the palm oil industry which could cut yields by as much 25%. The national palm oil association says the industry was already in need of 36,000 workers before COVID-19 and the associated travel […]
In Malaysia, Sime Darby Plantation (SDP published its oil palm genome research that has paved the way for the company to produce significantly more oil palm yield on its existing land. The genome sequence that Sime Darby Plantation (SDP) is sharing is 80% more detailed than any findings that has been publicly available previously and […]
In Malaysia, Reuters reports the government will act as a third party in Indonesia’s existing complaint against the European Union for its trade practices against palm oil. Malaysia has been threatening such a complaint for well over a year while the European Union has remained confident that it would win should a complaint be brought […]
In Malaysia, Bernama news agency reports continued low crude oil prices remain a key pressure point for biodiesel blending mandates in both Malaysia and Indonesia who seek to increase energy security and support palm oil producers. Despite lower demand for fuel and biodiesel in particular, the founder and CEO of Sumwin Group said the pandemic […]
In Malaysia, the Malay Mail newspaper reports that the national palm oil council believes palm oil trade relations with India are set to improve. India used to be the country’s top palm oil export destination, but it has since fallen to 13th place. India is slowly beginning to lift its COVID-19 lockdown and MPOC believes […]
In Malaysia, The Edge Markets reports that Lipidos Santiga SA said in a webinar organized by the Malaysia Palm Oil Council that EU biodiesel consumption should hold steady this year despite impacts of COVID-19. Trucks and public transport kept up demand for diesel and therefore biodiesel during the peak of the lockdown period implemented to […]
In Malaysia, the New Straits Times reports FGV is looking at how renewable energy such as biogas from oil palm waste for power production can help its post-COVID-19 recovery. Power produced from biogas via gensets would then be supplied to the national grid. Increased export of palm kernel shells for use as biomass to produce […]
In Malaysia, the Star newspaper reports that FGV sees palm oil production dropping significantly due to impacts from COVID-19. The national movement control order has been in effect since March 18 which has kept farm workers from harvesting the oil palms. Customers and businesses have also been effected by the order which will have further […]
In Malaysia, the Sun newspaper reports that CGS CIMB Research says suspending the roll out of the 20% biodiesel blending mandate as announced last week will likely have significant impacts on the palm oil industry next year when the loss in demand will be most strongly felt. With demand for B20 in transport and B7 […]
