Government urges Higher Education institutions to be active in Biomass Research
Afterschool
October 23, 2012
- The full potential for biomass commercialisation in the country remains untapped
- Malaysia is producing a minimum of 168 million tonnes of biomass, including timber and oil palm waste, rice husks, coconut trunk fibres and sugar cane annually
According to Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Malaysia has a very strong agro-based industry that could turn into a highly potential economic driver.
Biomass energy has the highest potential source for renewable energy sources. To date, some educational institutions are exploring the implementation of this technology through pilot plant projects.
"The timber-based industry for example is still looking for ways to maximise its products and the newer as well as the non-conventional resources such as petai belalang, kenaf and micro-algae are also being identified for their potential contribution as biomass resources."
The Petai Belalang trunk, or scientifically known as Leucaena Leucocephala, can be used to create multiple type of wood board or to generate steam energy, while the fruit and leaves can be used as biomass-based feedstock.
"In a way, it has created the opportunities for the industry, government agencies and academia to work together in research and development activities," he said in his speech at the International Conference on Biomass for Biofuels and Value Added Products 2012.
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