UMeWorld pushes Malaysia SAF feedstock facility into industrial phase

A private sector development in SAF supply chains has arrived with UMeWorld Limited advancing its Malaysia sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feedstock facility into industrial execution.
The project — now being developed by UMeWorld’s wholly owned Malaysian subsidiary, Verdant Sustainable Fuel — addresses a fundamental obstacle for global SAF production: feedstock availability and quality.
Launched in January 2026, the facility will focus on converting difficult‑to‑process waste lipids — such as palm oil mill effluent (POME) and used cooking oil (UCO) — into renewable fuel intermediates that are compatible with existing refinery infrastructure.
This approach is designed to expand the usable feedstock pool for SAF producers, reducing reliance on conventional routes that struggle with high‑acidity inputs and costly refinery modifications.
UMeWorld’s enzymatic conversion technology operates under lower severity conditions than traditional chemical refining, enabling a broader array of waste‑based feedstocks to be processed efficiently and economically. By tackling feedstock constraints, the project aims to make SAF production more scalable and attractive to refineries already equipped with hydroprocessing units, particularly within ReFuelEU Aviation carbon‑intensity compliance frameworks.
The initial plan foresees a 10,000‑tonne per year nameplate capacity, with final site selection slated to occur within 90 days of the announcement. Once permitting and development planning are concluded, construction is expected to begin later in 2026.
Industry observers see this move as crucial because feedstock scarcity and processing challenges have consistently been cited as one of the major bottlenecks limiting SAF growth. By converting problematic waste lipids into refinery‑friendly intermediates, ventures like this could broaden the economic base of SAF production and spur further investment across Southeast Asia and beyond.