B100 biodiesel a competitive alternative amid Mideast crisis, says Felda

He said B100 is still at the policy stage and will first be implemented within the Felda ecosystem.

Shabery added that he had raised the matter with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“At this stage, a government policy needs to be in place, as we may not have sufficient crude palm oil supply to roll out B100 immediately,” he told a press conference here today.

B100’s factory price is estimated at about RM4.50 per litre, depending on crude palm oil (CPO) prices.

At an estimated price below RM5 per litre, B100 could reduce reliance on diesel, support domestic fuel price stabilisation and strengthen national energy security, Shabery said.

During the April 2-8 period, the diesel price in West Malaysia increased to RM6.02 per litre (up from RM5.52), while prices in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan remain at RM2.15 per litre.

Meanwhile, Shabery said, Felda and FGV Holdings Bhd need to expand B100 biodiesel processing plant development to increase production capacity.

“We are in discussions to determine the form of partnership — whether through full private sector participation, government support or involving other parties — to meet the need to expand B100 capacity,” he said.

A B100 biodiesel pilot project has been conducted since 2025, using passenger vehicles older than 15 months, covering a distance of more than 50,000km.

Shabery said a four-month trial involving tanker trucks was also carried out earlier in 2024.