JOHOR, April 23 — Discarded used cooking oil, once considered waste, is now being turned into clean renewable energy at EcoCeres Renewable Fuels Sdn Bhd’s state-of-the-art biorefinery in Pasir Gudang, Tanjung Langsat, Johor.
In a video interview shared by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Malaysia, Haji Roslan Ismail, former General Manager of EcoCeres Renewable Fuels Sdn Bhd, explained the innovative circular process.
“Used cooking oil is collected and converted into materials that become alternatives for society,” said Haji Roslan. He noted that the waste oil — often discarded together with water — is processed at the Johor plant into high-value products such as marine fuel, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as an alternative to conventional jet fuel, renewable diesel (HVO), and bio-naphtha.
The initiative proves that waste materials can be repurposed to help clean the air and reduce pollution, he added.
This green industry project fully aligns with Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), particularly Mission 3, which focuses on green industry development, circular economy practices, and the decarbonisation of manufacturing to achieve net-zero goals.
EcoCeres’ Johor facility is Malaysia’s first commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel plant, with an annual production capacity of up to 420,000 metric tonnes. It primarily uses waste-based feedstocks such as used cooking oil and palm oil mill effluent. The plant began operations in late 2025 and is currently running near full capacity, with initial SAF cargoes already exported to international markets.
By converting waste into valuable renewable fuels, the project not only supports Malaysia’s energy transition but also strengthens the country’s position as a potential regional hub for sustainable aviation fuels.
For more information, visit MITI Malaysia’s official channels or the NIMP 2030 portal at www.nimp2030.gov.my.
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