Malaysian state aims to produce SAF from microalgae

Sarawak will begin commercial production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from microalgae next year.
It is expected that by 2030 the largest state of Malaysia will be able to produce 100,000 barrels of SAF per day, the Star reported.
Deputy state secretary Datuk Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel said microalgae grown in waters mixed with carbon dioxide would be used to produce SAF.
AirAsia is also exploring options to introduce SAF into its fuel mix before 2025.
Petronas is also investing in SAF technology from crude algae oil that is being developed in Sarawak.
“We have identified 10,000 acres of land in Bintulu for the purpose of algae plantation. About 1,000 acres of algae can produce 10,000 barrels of SAF a day, so with 10,000 acres, we can produce 100,000 barrels by 2030,” he said.
Muhammad Abdullah delivered a special address on Sarawak’s development plan during Affin Group’s Propelling Malaysia Forward 2023: Sarawak Series conference.
He also highlighted that the Sarawak state government is actively pursuing the “new economy” as part of its efforts to double the state’s economic size by 2030.