The Persatuan Biodiesel Malaysia or the Malaysian Biodiesel Association (MBA) was established on September 2, 2024 and consists of members located in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. The MBA represents the interests of the biodiesel industry in Malaysia. It’s Vision is: "To establish a sustainable, environment-friendly and economically-viable biodiesel industry in Malaysia and Globally."

Biodiesel use is a global phenomenon and the world consumes some 25 million MT of biodiesel annually. Europe and the US leads the way in biodiesel consumption through their respective enabling legislations: the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) - both of which mandates a certain quantity of biofuel use.

Malaysia has come a long way on its own biodiesel journey - from the initiation of the palm biodiesel research project by the MPOB in 1981 to the construction of the first commercial palm biodiesel pilot plant in 2000 to the enabling legislation for the ongoing Malaysian biodiesel mandate enacted in 2007 and coming into force in 2008. The Malaysian mandate was started in 2011 and the systematic rollout of a nationwide B5 mandate has evolved into the current B7 mandate and soon to be implemented B10 mandate.

This paper shall detail the journey thus far for the Malaysian Biodiesel Mandate and discusses its inception, development, challenges, implementation, impact and achievements to date. It will also discuss how the successful implementation of the biodiesel mandate has put Malaysia on the global map as a leading authority on the effective and successive use of Palm Biodiesel in promoting energy security, a greener environment and social and economic growth for the country.