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As Africa’s palm oil industry continues to expand, sustainability is becoming increasingly vital. Eur Ing Hong Wai Onn, a chartered chemical engineer and founder of the Research Institute for Sustainable Excellence and Leadership (RISEL), proposes innovative approaches to sustainability through biomass valorization. This technology can transform palm biomass waste into valuable resources, creating new revenue streams and addressing environmental concerns. Nigeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast, major palm oil producers, can benefit significantly from this approach.
Biomass valorization offers a dual approach to climate mitigation by reducing carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. The conversion of palm oil biomass into ethanol can be blended with conventional fuels or upgraded to create Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This alternative route is crucial, as used cooking oil supplies will eventually face limitations.
The potential for biomass valorization extends beyond ethanol. Empty fruit bunches can be processed into butanol, a drop-in fuel for maritime applications. Research is currently underway in this area. African palm oil producers can leapfrog traditional production methods and establish more advanced, environmentally conscious industries.
Hong Wai Onn has played a key role in shaping the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Standards and emphasizes the importance of strengthening sustainability standards. He suggests continuous improvement, including enhanced carbon emissions reporting and carbon footprint reporting. Certification systems could collaborate with carbon credit mechanisms to incentivize sustainable practices.
Hong’s recognition as a Freedom of the City of London honoree highlights the global significance of his work, underscoring the potential of sustainable development to transcend national boundaries. Despite implementation challenges, biomass valorization can overcome high capital investment barriers with economies of scale and government support.
African palm oil producers can create a new model of sustainable industrial development by leveraging biomass valorization. This vision involves transforming environmental challenges into economic opportunities and positioning the continent’s palm oil industry at the forefront of sustainable innovation. With governments and industries working together, Africa can accelerate progress towards net-zero emissions targets.
Through RISEL, Hong Wai Onn continues to advocate for sustainable development approaches that can transform Africa’s agricultural sectors. He concludes that it’s not an easy journey, but one that will pave the way for a new model of sustainable industrial development. For African palm oil producers, this vision offers a compelling alternative to conventional development paths, one that can create sustainable, economically viable, and environmentally friendly industries.