Biorefining oil palm waste residues

Lead Research Organisation: University of York
Department Name: Biology

Abstract

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Description We held a three day workshop at UTM (28th-30th August 2017) to explore opportunities for making technological developments in the utilisation of oil palm residues. The workshop brought together a wider range of individual experts from the UK and Malaysia to discuss the potential of oil palm residues, and the technological approaches required to produce sustainable biofuels and chemicals. The workshop included the principal and Leonardo Gomez from York, Clare Halpin from University of Dundee (a leader in lignin research) and Lindsay Stringer from the University of Leeds (a leader in sustainable development), and investigators from UTM, as well as representatives from the palm oil industry. The workshop was hosted at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and the agenda had a particular emphasis on facilitating the exchange of ideas and to discuss and develop the proposed collaborative programs. The workshop included a visit to an oil palm plantation and an oil palm mill.

A second workshop was held at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (8-9 April 2019) we explored the idea with stakeholders of using microbially processed crop residues into feed for the production of Black Soldier Fly larvae (BSFL). In collaboration with Fera in the UK we have demonstrated that this is feasible. This formed the basis of a successful application to the Newton Fund Impact Scheme. In this new project, we are involving BSFL experts in Malaysia (Entofoods) and Fera Science Ltd. BSFL are protein rich, contain a good balance of essential amino acids, minerals and fats and are highly suitable for feeding to fish. BSF are not disease vectors and pose little environmental risk, offering a novel approach to overcoming a waste challenge. Innovative use of oil palm residues for insect rearing will make fish farming more environmentally and economically sustainable, with the economics of the specific approach assessed in this project. The main output will be development of simple systems for BSFL production at very low cost, suitable for up and out scaling. We plan to optimise this process and translate this discovery into a commercial opportunity to support Malaysia's development.
Exploitation Route We will develop a low cost feeding technology for the rearing of insects to provide a source of protein for fish feed, addressing an environmental waste issue in such a way that can help alleviate poverty and develop new income streams. Project activities will deliver sustainable waste management practices that in turn will support economic development by creating new business and livelihood opportunities. Income will be generated for farmers and industry. We will implement a structured and diverse programme of knowledge exchange, training, capacity building, and upscaling, underpinned by stakeholder engagement throughout to deliver these impacts.

By co-developing a UK/Malaysia R&D multi-stakeholder platform, lessons from our project can be shared with businesses, policy makers and farmers to tackle a major waste problem with the benefit of sustainably improving fish production. The technology will be transferable to different crop residues.
Sectors Agriculture, Food and Drink,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology
 
Description We are mindful that the use of oil palm residues to generate biofuels and chemicals is not the only development opportunity, and have therefore been exploring new ways to transform oil palm residues into income streams. At a recent workshop held at UTM in April 2019 (https://news.utm.my/2019/05/international-workshop-on-transforming-oil-palm-residues-biosciences-department-faculty-of-science-in-collaboration-with-university-of-york-uk/), funded by our BBSRC Partnering Award and GCRF Priming Award, we explored the idea of using microbially processed crop residues into feed for the production of Black Soldier Fly larvae (BSFL). In collaboration with Fera in the UK we have demonstrated that this is feasible. We now plan to optimise this process and translate this discovery into a commercial opportunity to support Malaysia's development. This has led to a successful collaboration with involving BSFL experts in Malaysia (Entofoods) and Fera. BSFL are protein rich, contain a good balance of essential amino acids, minerals and fats and are highly suitable for feeding to fish. BSF are not disease vectors and pose little environmental risk, offering a novel approach to overcoming a waste challenge. Innovative use of oil palm residues for insect rearing will make fish farming more environmentally and economically sustainable, with the economics of the specific approach assessed in this project. Various low cost amendments to enhance the microbial degradation of the residues are being investigated, such as palm oil mill effluent and manure. The main output will be development of simple systems for BSFL production at very low cost, suitable for up and out scaling. We are engaging with stakeholders and identifying common ground and potential conflicts, as well as and assessing how each stakeholder group can provide support to deliver impact. Policy measures set the backdrop for adoption of BSFL-based fish feed, shaping the institutional, legal, regulatory, financial and economic aspects that affect oil palm industry, fish farmers and commercial influencers. We are engaging with policy stakeholders via interviews and workshop participation will build on an analysis of policies as part of our impact activities. The translation of these findings is supported by a Newton Fund Impact Scheme award (BB/V003593/1).
Sector Agriculture, Food and Drink,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology
 
Description Harnessing sustainable development opportunities from oil palm waste: Black Soldier fly larvae as a novel income stream in Malaysia
Amount £75,254 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/V003593/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 05/2020 
End 11/2021
 
Description Collaboration with UTM 
Organisation University of Technology, Malaysia
Country Malaysia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The award has enabled exchanges of ESRs between the two Universities. We have trained students from UTM in various laboratory and bioinformatic techniques.
Collaborator Contribution Our colleagues at UTM have made intellectual contributions to our collaboration, arranges site visits and engaged with Malaysian legislators.
Impact The capacity and capability that has been developed from the collaboration was important for the development of a GCRF RCUK Hub application entitled 'GCRF Insect Biotechnology for Sustainable Food Hub' that was invited to the full application stage. The full application was not successful
Start Year 2017