KUALA LUMPUR: Manufacturers of oil and fat products should take advantage of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board’s (MPOB) state-of-the-art pilot plants and laboratory facilities as well as its research and development expertise in the manufacturing of oil and fat products.

       Director-general Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said MPOB has invested heavily in the pilot plants which are mostly located at its head office in Bangi.

       “Our pilot plants and laboratory facilities are also rented out to manufacturers for preparation of palm oil-based food product samples for market development or trials of new or improved formulations.

       “These facilities are also useful to oil and fat manufacturers for formulation and process optimisation,” he said in a statement.

       MPOB researchers offer their expertise on palm oil-based food product development from the aspects of formulations, processing and preservation during storage and transportation. In addition, their expertise includes improving the manufacturers’ existing palm oil-based products.

       He said food manufacturers from Syria, Pakistan, India, Turkey, and Sweden have adopted palm oil-based food formulations developed by MPOB researchers.

       “These are mainly products such as palm oil-based margarines, shortenings, vegetable ghee (Vanaspati), animal fat replacers and confectionary fats,” he said.

       MPOB also conducts practical courses on margarine manufacturing for local and foreign participants, which provide them hands-on experience in using palm oil formulations for various fats products.

       Ahmad Parveez said the establishment of the pilot plant and laboratory facilities will help intensify MPOB’s efforts for commercialisation and improve the existing mechanisms and infrastructures that can enhance connectivity with the industry and potential adopters.

       He also said that MPOB is in the midst of developing facilities for and research and development services for the small and medium-scale industries and technology startups in Malaysia which in turn can be the agents to venture into bigger markets. — Bernama