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Note: This article was AI-translated from Arabic and is currently under manual review. The author is not responsible for any translation errors. Please refer to the original Arabic text for the most accurate and authoritative information.
Founder of the platform, with more than 11 years of experience in marketing within the oils and fats industry.
Engineer Hong Wai Onn, founder of the Institute for Sustainable Excellence and Leadership (RISEL) and an award-winning chemical engineer, is a visionary leader in the field of sustainable development and chemical engineering, committed to driving innovation and shaping a better future for Malaysia and beyond.
As the palm oil industry in Africa continues to expand, innovative approaches to achieving sustainability have become more essential than ever. Hong Wai Onn – the certified chemical and environmental engineer and founder of the RISEL Institute – offers pioneering insights into how biomass valorization could revolutionize this sector across the continent.
"We cannot continue to regard oil palm biomass as waste," Hong affirms. "Every strand of fiber and every neglected fruit bunch represents an untapped opportunity for innovation and sustainability."
This approach is of particular importance to countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire, where palm oil production constitutes a vital economic sector in continuous growth. By applying biomass valorization techniques, these countries can transform what is now considered waste into valuable resources, creating new sources of income and addressing environmental challenges at the same time.
Hong's support for biomass valorization extends beyond economic benefits, offering a tangible path to reducing emissions. "Biomass valorization is not merely an industrial solution; it is a route to reducing carbon emissions and breaking free from dependence on fossil fuels."
One of the most prominent opportunities lies in converting oil palm biomass into bioethanol, which can be blended with conventional fuel to reduce fossil fuel consumption, or the ethanol can later be upgraded into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) via the "ethanol-to-jet" pathway.
"This alternative pathway is becoming increasingly important," Hong points out, "given that the current focus on the hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids pathway will eventually face supply limitations." And with the full utilization of used cooking oil, ethanol derived from biomass becomes a more sustainable and scalable alternative for producing sustainable aviation fuel.
The potential of biomass valorization is not limited to ethanol alone. Empty fruit bunches can also be processed to produce biobutanol, a suitable alternative fuel for marine applications. Research in this field has moved beyond the laboratory and pilot stages, with plans for semi-commercial production plants already underway.
For palm oil producers in Africa, these developments represent an opportunity to leapfrog traditional methods and establish more advanced and environmentally conscious industries from the very beginning.
Hong played a pivotal role in developing the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) standards. His deep expertise, particularly in the upstream segment of the production chain, has contributed to strengthening Malaysia's sustainability framework.
"I see MSPO as on par with globally recognized standards such as RSPO. In fact, obtaining MSPO certification is mandatory in Malaysia, which means that every drop of palm oil produced there is certified as sustainable," Hong affirms. He also calls for continuous improvements to these standards. "There is no perfect or time-proof standard. Continuous review is essential," noting that one of the areas for future development could be enhancing carbon emissions tracking and carbon footprint reporting.
He adds: "If a palm oil company is working on biomass valorization, this should be recognized and given appropriate credit. Perhaps certification systems could collaborate more closely with carbon credit mechanisms to incentivize sustainable practices."
RISEL and Hong Wai Onn: Leading Innovation Toward a More Sustainable Future
Through the RISEL Institute, Hong Wai Onn continues to advocate for sustainable development models that can bring about real transformation in Africa's agricultural sectors. "It is not an easy journey," he concludes, "but we are charting a new path toward sustainable industrial development that supports countries in accelerating their progress toward carbon neutrality goals."
For palm oil producers in Africa, this vision offers an attractive alternative to traditional development methods—an alternative that transforms environmental challenges into economic opportunities and places the African palm oil industry at the forefront of sustainable innovation.
Global Recognition of Sustainable Leadership
Hong's receipt of the "Freedom of the City of London" as the first Malaysian engineer to receive this honor highlights the global significance of his work. This award, granted to prominent names such as Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela, places him among an elite group of figures who have contributed significantly to serving society, reflecting the international impact of his efforts in supporting sustainability and engineering excellence.
Implementation Challenges: Obstacles and Opportunities
Despite the immense potential, Hong acknowledges the existence of challenges to applying biomass valorization. "The large capital investment represents a barrier at this stage," but he believes these obstacles can be overcome through achieving economies of scale and appropriate government support.
He envisions a scenario in which ethanol-gasoline blending is mandated, and preference is given to locally produced ethanol from biomass due to its lower carbon footprint. "In that case, ethanol prices could rise to levels that make biomass valorization economically viable," Hong says.
He concludes: "This kind of policy achieves two benefits at once: reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and lowering the carbon footprint of the palm oil industry."
Source: Business Insider Africa