KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Palm Oil Board’s (MPOB) researchers have established more than 10 new types of palm-based polyols for application in polymers, specifically polyurethanes which are environmental friendly.

       In a statement today, MPOB said the developed palm-based polyols are such as the pioneer series or palm olein-based polyols, fatty acid-based polyol, used cooking oil-based polyol, PolyFAME series or fatty acid methyl ester-based polyols, acrylated epoxidised palm oil polyol and co-polymers polyol.

       "To enhance its research on polyol, MPOB has invested RM2 million for the establishment of three pilot plants with the capacities of 150 litres, 500 litres and 1,000 litres to produce palm-based polyols.

       "MPOB invites players in the polyol and polyurethane industries to use its polyol pilot plants facilities located at the head office for pre-commercial trials and research and development purposes,” it said.

       MPOB said the pilot plants offer facilities including reactants feed tanks, two main reactors for the epoxidation and alcoholysis reactions, settling tank and drying vessel.

       Director-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said there were encouraging response from players for the pilot plants, and among them are include Magnechem Sdn Bhd, Rovski Sdn Bhd, Rokisar Sdn Bhd, Techbond Greentech Sdn Bhd and German-Malaysia Institute.

       He said industry players should explore the polyol pilot plants which are well-equipped with facilities to produce not only palm-based polyols but other products as well such as epoxidised palm oil and dihydroxy stearic acid (DHSA).

       "The polyol pilot plant facilities at MPOB are capable of producing a maximum of 80 per cent of the total capacity (1,650 litres) for all of the three plants,” he said. - Bernama