One of the CREG’s research project will be completed this end of year after 2 years being carried out. The project entitled “Production of Biofuel from Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) via Integrated Catalytic System” funded by the Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation (MOSTI) was started at Dec 2006.

This project, leaded by Prof. Dr. Nor Aishah Saidina Amin is purposely to produce biofuel from the abundant wastes generated by palm oil industries known as empty palm fruit bunch (EPFB). Through our innovative method technologies, three valuable products would be obtained namely bio-oil, gaseous and char.

The bio-oil can be used as an alternative energy source, raw material for energy related or as building blocks for the polymer and chemical industries. The gas product on the other hand can be used in fuel cells application, while the solid by-product of char is vital for the production of activated carbon or carbon black.

As information, the project was conducted by CREG Research Officers from various specialties and expertise. The main researcher is Mailin Misson from Biology and Bioprocess Eng. background, and assisted by Roslindawati Haron (Biology, Enzymology) and Mohd Fadhzir Ahmad Kamaroddin (Chemical Eng). 5 excellent undergraduate students had been selected to be involved in the project to make the project become more successful.

Besides, our hardworking and creative leader, Prof. Dr. Nor Aishah Saidina Amin together with our lecturers, Assoc. Prof. Dr Ramli Mat, Mr Zaki Yamani and Mr Mahadhir have developed CREG to a very strong and highly competitive research group.

With this innovative and established team, high impact research to the nation being was successfully completed. 8 papers were developed for national & international journals and proceedings, as well as 2 on-progress patents drafting were received.

More interestingly, our product namely EFB-Diesel (The Biodiesel from non-food Source) has been awarded as Silver Receiver on the Research Competition organized by UTM on last Aug. Through this innovative method to produce high quality Biodiesel, we are looking forward to have good research collaboration or even production contract with other organization outside.